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THOSE SMITH BOYS 






Contents 

CHAPTER PAGE 

1 . Flying a Kite 9 

11 . The Man Without a Thumb 18 

III. Mr. Smith is Robbed 26 

IV. Searching for the Thief 34 

V. At THE Railroad Camp 40 

VI. Spider Langdon’s Trick 47 

VII. A Runaway Hand C^vr 54 

VIII. What the Hand Car Hit 60 

IX. A Bottle of Paregoric 67 

X. An Indignation Meeting 73 

XL The Boys Run Away 82 

XII. An Unsuccessful Search 89 

XIH. In the Cave 96 

XIV. Meeting Theophilus Clatter 104 

XV. A Patent Medicine Show 113 

XVI. Drawing A Crowd 120 

XVII. Mr. Stanton Buys Soap 127 

XVIII. The Weather Prophet 134 

XIX. Seeking Clues 141 

XX. A PIoLD Up 149 

XXL The Professor in Trouble 155 

XXII. Spider and Bateye 162 

XXHI. The Professor in Jail 171 

XXIV. A New Partnership 177 

XXV. The Drouth 184 

XXVI. The Deluge 190 

vii 


viii CONTENTS 

CHAPTER PAGE 

XXVIL Going It Alone 199 

XXVIII. Taking Out a Spot 206 

XXIX. The Trained Bear Man 21 1 

XXX. News OF THE Thumbless Man 218 

XXXI. The Professor Released 225 

XXXIL The Thumbless Man Again 234 

XXXIII. Overhearing a Plot 242 

XXXIV. Capture OF THE Robbers 248 

XXXV. Freeport Gets the Railroad 260 


THOSE SMITH BOYS 


CHAPTER I 

FLYING A KITE 

^^Say, Cap, how big you going to make it, anyhow 

^^Hever you mind, Sawed-off, you just run in and 
get me that other ball .of cord, the ruler and my other 
knife. I’m making this kite.” 

^Ht certainly looks so. Cap,” added the other of the 
three lads who were grouped under the big cherry tree. 
^^Don’t you want to give some more orders? Can’t I 
get you the paper, and some sticks and the hammer 
and nails ? Then, maybe, the kite will make itself, and 
you can sit still and watch it grow.” 

^^Aw, quit fooling, and help a fellow, will you ? We 
want to give it a trial while the wind’s good.” 

“All right, Cap,” said Pete Smith, who, because of 
his short stature was familiarly known as “Sawed-off.” 
He got up from the ground where he had been lying, 
watching his older brother John Smith, known as 
“Cap”, from the fact that his name was the same as 
that of the old Indian fighter, Captain John Smith. 
“All right. Cap,” repeated Pete, “I’ll get the things, 
but I should thirds Bill could help some.” 

“Didn’t I help ?” demanded William, who was never 


10 


Those Smith Boys 


called anytiiing else but Bill. ^^Didn’t I get the sticks ? 
Think I’m going to do it all 

^^Easy now,” pleaded Cap. ^^Go on, Sawed-off, get 
the things, and I’ll have this kite made in a jiffy. It’ll 
be a dandy and I’ll bet it will lift twenty pounds.” 

^TIow big is it going to be, anyhow ?” asked Bill, as 
he watched his brother fitting the long sticks together 
and tying them at the place where they joined. 

^^About seven feet high, and almost as broad. It’s 
the biggest one we’ve made yet, and I guess this wind 
is strong enough to take it up.” 

^Tt feels so. Got any string strong enough to hold 
her ?” 

^^Sure. I got some on purpose. Here, hold this stick 
a minute ; will you ? I want to put the string around 
the outer edge.” 

Bill got up and held the kite frame, while his brother 
put the string tightly around the ends of the crossed 
sticks. 

When this was done Pete returned with another ball 
of cord, the ruler and his brother’s knife. 

^^Say that’ll be a beaut!” he exclaimed. 

^^Wait until I get the paper on,” advised John. 

^Tt’s got to be pretty tough, or the wind will tear it 
all to pieces,” remarked William. 

^‘1 know it. I got some at Johnson’s store. Look 
out there Pete, don’t step in the paste I” 

Pete stepped aside just in time to avoid tramping 
into a cup of flour and water, which John had mixed 
to use in putting the paper on the kite frame. 

The paper was unfolded, laid out on a smooth place 


/ 


Flying a Kite ll 

on the ground, and then John proceeded to cut it the 
shape of the kite, leaving a margin to fold over and 
paste down. When the paper was properly on, John, 
with the aid of his two brothers bent the cross stick of 
the kite in the shape of a bow, fastening it with what 
corresponded to the bow string. 

^^There!” exclaimed John, as he looked with admira- 
tion at the big kite. ‘‘ISiow if it goes up we’ll have some 
fun this afternoon.” 

^^And no tail to bother with, and get tangled in the 
cord,” added Pete. 

For it was a tailless kite that the lads had made. 

^^Seems to me the wind’s dying out,” said William, 
rather anxiously, peering up into the sky. 

^^Oh, I guess it’ll hold for a while yet,” observed Pete. 
^^But hurry up. Cap. Isn’t it all done ?” 

'^Just have to fasten the string on, then we’ll go up 
in the big lot.” 

It did not take long to put the finishing touches to the 
big kite, which was taller than John, the eldest and larg- 
est of the three Smith brothers. Then, carefully carry- 
ing the big air toy, the lads went to fly it. 

John, William and Pete Smith were the sons of John 
Smith, of Freeport, a village in one of our Eastern 
states. The town was located on the Waydell river, a 
fairly broad stream, in which the boys fished and swam 
in summer, and on the frozen surface of which they 
skated in winter. Across the river from Freeport, was 
the town of Yandalia, and there was more or less 
rivalry between the two places, on many points. 

Mr. Smith owned quite a lot of property in Freeport. 


12 


Those Smith Boys 


It had once been a farm, and had been left to him bj his 
father, but he gave up farming, and kept a general store 
in the village, as there was little money to be made in 
farming, he thought. He was quite well off, and the 
boys had a good home. Their mother had been dead 
some years. 

The three brothers, carrying the big kite, made their 
way to an open meadow, on a small hill, where they 
found a good breeze blowing, that fine morning. 

“How you hold her, Pete,’’ directed John, “and I’ll 
run with it. Bill, you keep the string from getting 
tangled in the weeds.” 

“Why don’t you let me run with it?” demanded 
William. “I can run faster than you can,” which was 
a fact, for he was lighter than his brother. 

“Maybe you can,” replied John, “but you don’t 
know how to put up a kite as well as I do.” 

“Aw, go on. I do so.” 

“Well, you ain’t going to, so you can hold the string 
or nothing. Go on, hold the string. After I get her up. 
I’ll let you hold it.” 

“All right, don’t you back out, now.” 

“I won’t Are you all ready. Sawed-off?” 

“Sure. Let her go.” 

Pete held the kite upright by the longer stick. He 
was completely hidden by the expanse of paper, which 
was swaying this way and that in the stiff breeze. 
John unwound some cord, which William, stationed 
half way between his two brothers, held up so that it 
would not tangle around the wild carrots with which 
the meadow abounded. 


Flying a Kite 


13 


“All ready! Let go!” called John suddenly, and, 
as Pete released his hold, Bill following his example, 
John started to rim. 

Up into the air went the immense kite; up and up. 

^Tine!’’ cried William. ^That’s the stuff!’’ 

A moment later the affair of sticks, paste and paper 
turned a graceful curve and came diving down to the 
earth. 

^^Aw, why didn’t you wait until I had it up before 
you yelled?” asked John reproachfully. 

^AVhat’s the matter ?” inquired Pete anxiously. 

^^Guess I haven’t got the string on just right,” said 
his brother. He ran back to examine the fallen kite. 

^^That’s it,” he announced. ^J’ll change it in a 
minute.” 

^Js it busted?” asked William. 

^^Hot a bit. Wait a minute now, and we’ll have it up.” 

He changed the string, and this proved effective, 
for, a little later the big, tailless kite was soaring in 
the air, high over the heads of the Smith boys. 

'^Does it pull much ?” asked William. 

^^Does it?” replied John, as he carefully let out 
more of the extra heavy cord. ^Teel of it!” 

His brother tested the string. 

^^Say, that would lift considerable!” he exclaimed. 

' ^^We could send up a lot of lanterns on it.” 

^Alaybe we will, to-night,” put in Pete. 

^Jt’s my turn to hold it now,” remarked William 
after a pause. ^^You promised, Cap.” 

^^Sure I did. I will in a minute. Wait until I let 
out a little more string.” 


H 


Those Smith Boys 


Presently the cord was transferred to William. The 
wind was freshening and the kite pulled so that the 
boy bad to wrap the cord around bis waist to prevent 
it from cutting bis fingers. The big kite was certainly 
a success. 

^^Wish we bad something to send up on it,” remarked 
Pete when be had bis turn at holding it. 

^Tt would lift Waggles, if he was here,” observed 
William, Waggles being the boy’s dog. 

Where is be asked John. 

^^Ob, the last I saw him be was chasing Mrs. 
Perkins’s cat down the road. 

^^And didn’t you call him back?” 

^^^Taw, I knew be would hurt the tabby.” 

^AVell, Mrs. Perkins will go for us when she sees 
us. She’ll say we did it on purpose. We get blamed 
for everything that happens in this town.” 

^^Maybe we deserve some of it,” admitted John, for 
he and his brothers were full of life, and fond of fun, 
and they frequently indulged in rather thoughtless 
pranks in search of amusements. Pranks which all 
boys play, but which did not seem to be appreciated by 
the townspeople. 

^AVell, it isn’t my fault,” said William. ^AVaggles 
was ofi like a shot before I thought of calling him 
back.” 

suppose he’ll find us out here, sooner or later,” 
went on John, who had again assumed charge of the 
kite. '^Say, but it’s pulling though!” he cried, as a 
particularly strong gust of wind fairly hauled him 
along the ground. 


Flying a Kite ly 

^^Let’s feel !’’ exclaimed his brothers, at once, and 
they hurried to test the tantness of the kite cord. 

As they were doing this a little girl came toddling 
across the meadow, from a house situated on the edge 
of the big field. 

^^Hello, Susie exclaimed J ohn. 

Lo,’’ responded Susie Mantell. What chu doin’ 

^Tlying a kite,” replied Pete. ^Took how high up 
it is.” 

^Aly! It’s a’ most up to heaven,” observed the 
little girl. 

^Teel how it pulls,” invited John, kindly, for they 
liked the little tot. 

Susie, who was fond of the three Smith boys, made 
her way through the tall grass, and took hold of tlie 
string. She could not pull it in an inch, so taut 
was it. 

Just then the spirit of mischief prompted William 
to make a suggestion. In fact he generally did suggest 
the various pranks in which he and his brothers in- 
dulged. 

wonder if the kite would lift Susie ?” he said, in 
a sort of absent-minded way. 

guess it would, if we could fasten the string to 
her so it wouldn’t hurt,” agreed John. 

^AVe could tie it to her belt,” suggested Pete. ^That 
wouldn’t hurt her. We could just see if it would lift 
her, and we’d let her right down again. It wouldn’t 
do any harm.” 

^^Ho, I guess not ; if we kept hold of the cord,” said 
John. 


i6 


Those Smith Boys 


^^Does Susie want the kite to lift her in the air 
asked William, pursuasivelj. 

^Wery high?’’ inquired the tot, rather anxiously. 

^^JSTo, not very high. A little way. It’ll he fun.” 

^^I’ll do it,” agreed Susie, much delighted. 

The boys had no thought of any harm, as they care- 
fully fastened a loop of the cord to Susie’s belt. Then 
Bill, holding the string, carefully let out some slack. 
The boys watched, anxious to see if the kite would 
really lift the little girl. 

Somewhat to their surprise, for they really had not 
thought it was as strong as that, the big paper bird 
of the air actually took Susie off her feet. 

^T’m going up to the sky!” she cried gleefully, as 
the kite, urged by a strong wind, pulled harder and 
harder, and lifted her several feet above the grass. 
^^Herelgo!” 

^^She is going up!” cried William enthusiastically. 
‘T didn’t think she would.” 

^^Keep tight hold of the string,” cautioned Pete to 
John. 

‘T will. Are you all right, Susie ?” 

^^Yep. I like it. Make me go higher.” 

The little tot was laughing at the novel ride she was 
getting. John was cautiously paying out a few feet of 
cord, and Susie was being carried along by the kite, the 
broad belt she wore preventing her from being hurt. 

wonder how high up she’d go,” said William, as 
if considering the possibilities of the kite as an aero- 
plane. 


Flying a Kite 17 

^^Quite a ways/’ observed John. guess I’d 

better ” 

What he was about to say he never finished, for, 
at that instant the cord broke near where he was hold- 
ing it, and, to the horror of the boys, they saw little 
Susie being carried off before them, hoisted high into 
the air by the tugging kite, while over the tops of the 
wild carrots trailed the end of the broken string. 

^^Catch it! Quick!” cried John. ^‘Bill! Pete! 
Grab it!” 

His brothers were nearer the swiftly moving end of 
cord than he was, but all three boys sprang forward. 

Susie was now being rapidly carried forward and 
upward, and, suddenly seeming to realize her plight, 
she began to cry. 

At that moment a woman came out of the house 
near the edge of the meadow. She saw the little girl 
being carried off by the giant kite and began to scream : 

^^Susie! Susie! Oh my darling Susie! What has 
happened 

And she began to run across the field toward the 
little girl dangling at the end of the kite string. 


CHAPTER II 


THE MAN WITHOUT A THUMB 

^^Catch that string, Bill!’’ cried John desperately. 
^^Yoii must catch it!” 

He was running as hard as he could, but his smaller 
brother was fleeter of foot. 

^Tf she falls now ” began Pete, but he did not 

have the courage to finish, for Susie was now several 
feet above the earth, and was still being carried up- 
ward. If the string broke with her, she would be 
severely hurt. 

^^How dare you fasten my little girl to your kite 
string ?” demanded Mrs. Mantell. ^^You terrible 
boys.” 

^^We — we didnt mean to,” panted John. ^^We — we 
were just seeing if — if it would lift her.” 

^^Mamma! Mamma! cried the frightened little girl. 

‘^Catch her! Catch her!” implored Mrs. Mantell. 
^^She’ll be killed !” 

^^We’ll catch her!” cried William, feeling that most 
of the fault was his, since he had proposed it. 

Pete made an ineffectual grab for the end of the 
kite string as it jumped past him. 

^^Hold it!” shouted John. 

^ J can’t get it,” replied his brother. 


The Man Without a Thumb 19 


Mrs. Mantell, not thinking of grasping the string, 
only wanted to clasp the little girl. She ran after her, 
trying to grasp her dangling legs, but to no purpose. 
Once she had hold of Susie’s shoes, but the tugging kite 
pulled them loose. The wind was now blowing a steady 
gale. 

^^Catch me! Catch me!’’ cried the child. don’t 
want to go up to the sky, mamma !” 

^^Oh, my poor darling!” sobbed Mrs. Mantell. She 
could not run much farther. 

^^Can’t you grab that string. Bill ?” demanded John, 
who was now some distance in the rear. 

‘T’ve — I’ve tried,” replied his brother. Anyone who 
knows what it is to chase a runaway kite, can appre- 
ciate the plight of the boys. 

^^There ! It’s caught on that weed !” shouted John, 
as he saw the string entangled in a bunch of wild 
carrots. 

^T’ll get it,” responded William. 

He made a dive, as though tackling a half back with 
the pigskin, who was about to make a touchdown, and 
felt the coils of the string in his fingers. He held on 
tightly, and, as the kite was urged on by the high wind, 
the cord burned his hand from the friction, but Wil- 
liam was not going to let go. 

^^Hold it! Hold it!” yelled Pete, as he rushed up to 
his brother, and grasped the cord. This checked the 
farther progress of the kite, and, a moment later, 
though it took considerable of their strength, the two 
lads managed to haul down the big air machine, and 
the little girl. 


20 


Those Smith Boys 


As her feet touched the ground her mother rushed 
up, and clasped her in her arms. 

^^Oh, my poor child! My darling Susie!’’ she cried. 

The little girl was not in the least hurt, though 
much frightened. Mrs. Mantell tried to carry her 
daughter away, but found that the kite, still up in the 
air, interfered. 

^^Untie this string at once!” she angrily demanded 
of the boys. 

^^Yes ma’am, right away,” promised William. 
soon as my brother will come to help hold the kite,” 
for he and Pete feared to let go long enough to unfasten 
the cord from Susie’s belt, as the kite might pull away 
from the grasp of one of them. 

John came running up. He took hold of the cord be- 
yond where Susie was fastened to it, and began to haul 
in, his sturdy muscles proving ample for the task. 
Then William released Susie’s belt. 

“You mischievous boys!” exclaimed Mrs. Mantell, 
as she carried Susie in her arms toward her home. “I 
shall tell your father about this !” 

“We — we didn’t think the kite would take her up,” 
said John. “We — we just wanted to see how strong it 
was.” 

“Well, you saw all right,” snapped Mrs. Mantell, 
who felt that she had a right to be angry. “The idea 
of playing such a trick as that on a little girl !” 

“We — we didn’t mean to,” put in William. 

“I dare say not, but I shall inform your father just 
the same!” 

“What’s the matter?” asked a woman’s voice, and 


The Man Without a Thumb 21 


Mrs. Mantell’s sister came running across the field, 
thought I heard Susie crying,” she said. 

^^So you did,” replied Mrs. Mantell. ^^She was be- 
ing carried up by a kite.” 

^^By a kite ! Why ! The very idea !. Who did it ?” 

^^Oh, those Smith boys ! They’re always up to some 
mischief! It’s a shame! I wish they’d move out of 
town!” 

Mrs. Mantell and her sister were some distance away 
from the three lads, who, however, heard what she 
said. 

'^That’s right; blame everything on Those Smith 
boys.’ We do everything,” murmured William. 

^^Well, we did this, at any rate,” observed John. ‘‘1 
didn’t think the kite would take her up.” 

^^And I guess you didn’t think the string would 
break,” added Pete. ^^That caused the whole trouble. 
It wasn’t our fault.” 

^^Of course not,” declared John. ^^But I guess we’d 
better take the kite down. The wind’s so strong it 
may break the sticks.” 

They hauled in on the string, John winding it up on 
a reel, while William and Pete pulled. 

^^Do you s’pos^ she’ll tell dad?” ventured Pete, as 
he and his brothers started for home. 

^Trobably,” replied John. ^^Well, we didn’t mean 
any harm.” 

That was generally the excuse the Smith boys offered 
when anything went wrong. 

As the lads were tramping over the meadow they 
saw, just ahead of them, a man, standing near the 


22 


Those Smith Boys 


highway, which was separated from the field by a rail 
fence. 

^^Wonder who he is spoke Pete. 

‘^Stranger around here,’’ added William, in a low 
voice. 

The man, looking up, saw the hoys. 

‘^Been fiying your kite ?” he asked pleasantly. ^‘My, 
hut that’s a big one,” he added, as he took hold of one 
edge of it. ^^And it hasn’t any tail, either.” 

‘They’re less trouble without a tail,” observed John, 
and he looked closely at the man. Though the stranger 
was well dressed, there was a curious air about him 
that the boys did not like. He had a shifting glance, 
and seldom looked them straight in the eyes, his gaze 
wandering from one to the other. 

“We didn’t know how to make those kites when I 
was a lad,” went on the stranger. “We always had to 
use a tail. This is a great improvement. I expect you 
boys will be making an air ship soon.” 

“Hardly,” said Pete. 

“Do you live around here ?” asked the man, as he still 
kept hold of the kite, and appeared to be examining 
the manner in which it was made. 

“Eight over there,” said John, pointing to their 
house, a big white one, which could be seen from the 
meadow. 

“Ah, that’s a fine place. Does your mother take 
boarders ?” 

“Our mother is dead,” answered John, “and I’m 
sure dad wouldn’t take boarders. Mrs. Murdock, the 
housekeeper, says we’re worse than any boarders.” 


The Man Without a Thumb 


23 


said the man, as if amused. you happen 

to know if there is any one in town who takes 
boarders 

^^Mrs. Johnson does,” said Pete. 

^^N’o she don’t,” spoke William. 

^^She does too!” 

^^Well, she does, but I heard her daughter say the 
other day that their house was full.” 

^^In that case,” went on the man, had better 
not apply there.” 

^Alrs. Anderson sometimes takes boarders,” said 
John. 

^AVhere does she live ?” 

^^In a red house, just beyond the turn there,” and 
Cap pointed to it. 

^^Then I think I shall apply there. Who shall I say 
sent me?” 

It was an invitation for the lads to tell their names. 

^AVe’re the Smith boys,” said John, with a little 
laugh. 

^^I't’s rather an uncommon one,” he added jokingly, 
^^and it’s spelled S-m-i-t-h.” 

^^Seems to me I’ve heard that name somewhere be- 
fore,” went on the stranger, with a laugh. ^^My name’s 
Pandell. I think I will go see Mrs. Anderson.” 

As he spoke he let go of the kite, but a puff of wind, 
catching on the big expense of paper, swayed it so that 
it seemed about to fall, and Mr. Kandell, thinking he 
had knocked it over, put out his other hand to steady it. 
As he did so John started, and half uttered an exclama- 


24 


Those Smith Boys 


tion, which he quickly checked, but not before the man 
had looked curiously at him. 

AVilliam took up the kite, and, as Mr. Randell moved 
away, having thanked the boys for their information, 
the three lads resumed their way. 

/^Good-bye,’’ called the man, pleasantly. ^^Perhaps I 
shall see you again.’’ 

^'Perhaps,” answered John. 

He seemed laboring under some excitement, and, 
when he was out on the highway, some distance away 
from the man, who went in the opposite direction, John 
said: 

^^Say, boys, did you notice that man’s hand ?” 

^^Which one ?” inquired Pete. 

^^The one he put on the kite last — his left one.” 

^^Hot particularly,” said William. ^^Why?” 

^^Because, he hadn’t any thumb on it!” 

^^Ho thumb?” questioned Pete. 

‘^Hope. It had been cut off close to his palm.” 

^^Well, what of it ? Maybe he was in some accident.” 

^^What of it?” repeated John. ^^Say don’t you re- 
member the description of that fellow wanted for rob- 
bing the express company? His picture’s in the post 
office, and there’s a reward of five hundred dollars for 
his arrest. His thumb is cut ofi 1” 

^^Are you sure ?” asked Pete, excitedly. 

^Tositive,” replied John. was reading the notice 
only yesterday.” 

^^Let’s go tell the police,” proposed William. ^^Maybe 
we can get the reward.” 

^Het’s watch and see which way he goes,” said John. 


The Man Without a Thumb 25 


think he suspects something. He caught me looking 
at his thumb, and I was just going to ask him how it 
happened, when I stopped in time.’’ 

The boys turned and looked down the road after 
the man. As they did so they saw another stranger 
come from the bushes that lined the highway, and join 
him. The two stood and conversed for a moment, and 
then struck off on a little path that led through a 
clump of trees. 

^^He’s not going to Mrs. Anderson’s,” said William, 
guess he only questioned us for fun. He was wait- 
ing to meet that fellow.” 

^Tt looks so,” admitted John, staring at the place 
where the man without a thumb, and his companion 
had disappeared. ^Tt looks sort of funny ; doesn’t it ?” 

^Tet’s go down to the police station,” proposed Pete. 
^^Maybe we can get the reward. I’ll bet he’s the 
robber !” 


CHAPTEE III. 


MR. SMITH IS ROBBED 

^^What’ll we do with the kite?” asked Pete, as they 
started off. 

^Teave it in the house, of course,” replied William. 

^^What? Go way up to the house, before we go to 
the post office and see about that reward notice?” ob- 
jected Pete. ^Tet’s go to the post office first.” 

^^But we can’t carry this kite through town. It’ll be 
busted.” 

^Wou take the kite up to the house. Sawed-off,” 
suggested John. 

^^And let you and Bill go and claim that reward ? 
I will not! Here, hide the kite under the fence until 
we get back.” 

As it would be considerably out of their way to go to 
their home, and as the boys were anxious to confirm 
their suspicion about the stranger, they did not want fo 
lose any time. 

guess Pete’s plan is all right,” admitted John. 
^^Ho one will find the kite. We’ll hide it.” 

They shoved it behind some bushes, near the fence, 
and having satisfied themselves that it could not readily 
be seen, they started off. As they neared the main part 
of the town they saw several lads of their acquaintence. 

^^There’s Hoc Lutken,” observed Pete. 


Mr. Smith is Robbed 


27 


^^Don’t call him,” cautioned John. 

^^And there’s ^Bat-Eye’ Jones,” added William, re- 
ferring to a lad whose first name was Windsor, but who 
was always called ^‘Bat-Eye” from the fact that he 
could see well in the dark. 

^^Hello, Cap,” cried Bat-Eye. 

John waved his hand in greeting, considering that 
sufiicient, without replying. 

^^Where you going ?” asked ^^Doc,” who’s father was 
a physician. % 

^^We’ll be back in a little w^hile,” said William, con- 
sidering that the best answer to make in order not to 
induce the two lads to follow them, for the Smith boys 
w^anted to be alone when they looked at the reward 
notice, and comj)ared the description with that of Mr. 
Bandell. 

^Mle’s got nerve to stay around here, after doing that 
robbery,” observed William. 

^^Who ?” asked John. 

^^That fellow we met — Kandell,” replied his brother. 

^^Maybe it isn’t him.” 

^^Sure it is. Wasn’t his thumb off?” 

William thought this argument unanswerable. 

^^Well, the money was stolen from the ISTorthville 
express office,” said John. ^^That’s fifty miles from 
here. Maybe he’s trying to hide around here.” 

‘^Well, we’re after him,” added Pete, with fervor. 

The three brothers continued on down the street 
toward the post office. They were obviously in a hurry, 
and this was observed by two lads who stood on a cor- 
ner, looking in a drug store window. These lads were 


28 


Those Smith Boys 


Joe Langdon, nicknamed ^^Spider’’ because of his thin 
legs, and Sam or ''Beantoe’’ Pudder, the title having 
been conferred upon him because he Avas ahvays stumb- 
ling when he walked. The lads were cronies, and, be- 
cause of their rather mean traits, were not in good 
favor with the Smith boys or their chums. 

^'Look at Cap Smith and his brothers,” observed 
Beantoe. 

^'Yes,” answered Spider. wonder where theyTe 
going ?” 

^Tooks as if they Avere in a hurry. Let’s follow 
’em, and see what they’re up to.” 

^^All right. I’d like to play a trick on Bill. He 
punched me the other day.” 

‘mat for?” 

“Aw, just because I tried to trip him up.” 

“I OAve Pete one, myself. He cut my kite string the 
other day.” 

“Come on then; maybe we can both get even.” 

Sauntering along, as if Avith no particular object in 
view, the two cronies followed the Smith boys. 

Our three heroes hurried on to the post office. There 
were not many persons in it, and they croAvded around 
the bulletin board where there were many legal notices, 
as is usual in small towns, and a number of reAvard 
offers, principally for lost objects. The principal one, 
however, was the reward for the arrest of a thief who 
had stolen a substantial sum from the express office at 
Horthville, about two weeks previously. The boys 
eagerly read the description of the man Avanted. 


Mr. Smith is Robbed 29 

^^Pshaw! That ain’t him!” exclaimed John in dis- 
gust. 

^^Why not?” inquired Pete. 

^^Because this fellow’s lost a finger and thumb from 
his right hand.” 

^^Well, maybe you didn’t notice that Randell’s finger 
was gone, also,” suggested William. 

^^Yes I did,” answered his brother. ^^His thumb 
was all that was off, and it was from his left hand, not 
his right. Besides, the rest of the description doesn’t 
fit him at all.” 

After once more reading through the reward poster, 
Pete and William were forced to admit that John was 
right 

^^Then he isn’t the thief at all,” said Pete, in great 
disgust. 

^^Doesn’t seem so,” admitted John. ^^Come on, we’d 
better be getting home.” 

^T’ll bet he’s some sort of a criminal” declared Wil- 
liam, as they left the post office. 

<^Why?” asked John. 

^^Because he seems so. Didn’t he strike you as being 
rather suspicious?” 

^^Well, I didn’t just like his manner,” admitted John. 
^^He seemed sort of shifty. But then, that’s nothing.” 

‘^And he didn’t go to Mrs. Anderson’s, after we told 
him about her taking boarders,” put in Pete. 

^^Well, maybe he changed his mind. A man’s got 
a right to do that if he wants to. Come on. Let’s get 
our kite, and get home. It’s past dinner time.” 

The boys hurried through the town, took their kite 


30 


Those Smith Boys 


from where they had left it, and were soon at their 
house. 

^^Well, hoys, you are late to dinner again,’’ said Mr. 
Smith, a kindly faced man, but who, since his wife had 
died, appeared to find the task of bringing up three 
boys, rather more than he had bargained for. 

“Couldn’t help it, dad,” explained John. “We 
thought we saw a chance to make money, and we 
couldn’t let it slip,” and he told about their encounter 
with the stranger. 

Mr. Smith laughed. 

“Poolish lads,” he said. “Probably the man was 
some gentleman looking for a nice quiet place in the 
country. He would be very much shocked if he knew 
you took him for a robber.” 

“Well, he isn’t, according to the poster,” said John. 
“What’s for dinner, dad ?” 

“Poast beef, I think. Mrs. Murdock rang the bell 
a long time ago, but I thought I’d wait for you. Where 
have you been?” , 

“Putting up our big, new kite,” said William. 

“Yes, and we had quite an adventure,” went on John^ 
determined to tell his father about Susie, before Mrs. 
Mantell had a chance.. 

“I know about it,” interrupted his father, somewhat 
sternly. “I must say you boys are getting too risky. 
The little girl might have been injured.” 

“How — how did you hear of it?” asked Pete. 

“Mrs. Mantell was here to complain about you. She 
>vas right. You should not take such chances. I told 


Mr. Smith is Robbed 


31 

her if I heard of you doing such a thing again, I would 
punish you.” 

^^We — we didn’t mean ” began John. 

^^That’s just it,” said his father. ^^You never mean 
to do anything, but you seem to be always getting into 
mischief. It must stop. You must think a bit before 
you do anything.” 

^^We only wanted to test the kite,” put in William. 

‘WYll, the test was more than satisfactory, I should 
judge,” said his father, dryly. ^^Yow come to dinner, 
and don’t let me hear any more complaints about you.” 

The boys promised, and went into the house. As 
they entered the dining room they saw their father’s 
desk open, and a pile of bills on it. 

^Ylello! Where’d all the mony come from?” asked 
John. ^Tlave you been getting a reward, dad ?” 

'^Yo,” replied Mr. Smith. forgot that I went out 
leaving my desk open. That money is some that I re- 
ceived from selling a piece of land. I had no use for it, 
and I need some cash in my business. Mr. Fenton 
made me a good offer, and I accepted it. I must put 
this in the bank this afternoon.” 

But Mr. Smith was so busy that afternoon that he 
had no time to go to the bank, and he did not think 
to send either of his sons, who again took out the big 
kite, and, in company with Doc Lutken, Bat-Eye Jones 
and Yorton Tonkin, had much fun flying it. 

When the Smith boys got home early that evening, 
they saw their father standing in the dining room, hold- 
ing a pile of bills in his hand. 

^ Alore money, dad ?” asked J ohn. 


32 


Those Smith Boys 


this is the same/’ answered Mr. Smith with a 
smile. tell the truth I forgot to put in the bank, 

and I was just thinking of the best place to keep it 
over night.” 

^^Better take it down to the store, and put it in the 
safe, suggested Pete. 

I don’t like to leave a large sum in the store 
over night. I’d rather keep it in the house.” 

^^How much is it ?” 

^^Three thousand dollars. I wish Mr. Fenton had 
given me a check, instead, but he is peculiar, and likes 
to pay out and receive cash. But I think if I hide the 
money here it will be safe, and in the morning I will 
bank it.” 

^Tut it in your shoe and hide your shoe under the 
bed, dad,” suggested Pete. burglar would never 

think of looking there for it.” 

‘^Ho, I think I will put it in the secret drawer of my 
desk. It will be safer there,” answered Mr. Smith, 
and this he did. The secret drawer was one known 
to only himself and the boys, and was opened by push- 
ing a small, concealed knob. 

That night William, who was a light sleeper, was 
awakened by hearing a queer noise down stairs. It 
sounded like the breaking of glass, and he was about 
to get up, and arouse his brothers, to make an investi- 
gation, when he heard some cats howling. 

“I guess it was the cats, breaking a bottle, or some- 
thing,” he said to himself, and he turned over and went 
to sleep again. 

It was rather late when the three brothers got up, 


Mr. Smith is Robbed 


33 


as it was vacation time, and there was no school. As 
they were dressing they heard their father moving 
about in the dining room below. Suddenly he called 
out; 

^^Boys ! Have any of you been at my desk?’’ 

^^Ho. Why ?” replied John, while he and his brothers, 
with a feeling of uneasiness, waited for his answer. 

^^Because,” said Mr. Smith, ^ht’s been broken open, 
and the money has been stolen from the secret drawer ! 
I’ve been robbed of three thousand dollars ! And a 
number of other things, including some papers and 
trinkets have also been taken.” 


CHAPTER IV 


SEARCHING FOR THE THIEF 

The news so startled the boys that they did not know 
what to do or say, at first. Then John called out: 

^^Are you sure it’s gone, dad 

^^Sure? Why of course I am! I’m looking at the 
broken desk, and the smashed drawer now. Hurry 
down. We must notify the police, and get after the 
robber.” 

The boys lost no time in dressing. They hurried 
down, finishing their toilets on the way, and soon were 
standing about Mr. Smith, who was gazing at the 
smashed desk, as though, somewhere about it, he would 
find his three thousand dollars. 

^^How’d the thief get in ?” asked William. 

don’t know,” replied Mr. Smith. He was nervous 
and much upset. 

^Through the window. I’ll bet,” said William. 
heard a noise in the night, as if some one broke a pane 
of glass.” 

^^Why in the world didn’t you call some one?” John 
wanted to know. 

^^Because I heard cats howling, and I thought it was 
one of the tabbies, that had broken a milk bottle.” 

^^Maybe the burglar made a noise like a cat, when 
he broke the glass, so as to fool us,” suggested Pete. 


Searching for the Thief 35 

^^Thafs a great theory/’ declared John. ^Tet’s take 
a look around, and see how he got in.” 

‘^One of you had better go for the police,” suggested 
Mr. Smith. ‘^Marshall Denhy can’t do much ; he’s too 
old, and the four or five constables we have aren’t much 
better, but maybe the marshall will send to Sprague- 
ville for a detective.” 

‘^I’ll go and ask him,” volunteered John. ‘^But first 
let’s take a look around, and be sure the money’s not 
here somewhere.” 

‘^Of course it’s not here,” said his father. ‘^Who- 
ever broke open the desk took the money. That’s what 
they did it for. But I don’t see how any one knew 
about it, especially the secret drawer.” 

^^Maybe they discovered that when they smashed open 
the top of the desk,” suggested Pete. 

^^Probably,” admitted his fathef' gloomily. ^^This is 
a terrible loss to me!” 

^^Will it be serious, father?” asked John, noting his 
parent’s despondent manner. 

^^Very serious. I had to raise money to meet some 
heavy payments, and I need more in my business. 'Now 
it is gone.” 

^^Maybe you’ll get it back,” suggested William, 
fear not. I am afraid I will have to close out my 
store, and go to work, if the money is not found.” 

^^Then we’ll find it, dad!” exclaimed John. We’ll 
get some clues, and we’ll trace that robber.” 

^‘Easier said than done,” remarked Mr. Smith. ^^But 
we are losing time. We must notify the police.” 

^^Wait until I take a look around,” said John, and 


36 Those Smith Boys 

he glanced about the dining room, where the big, old- 
fashioned desk was. 

‘^Oh, Mr. Smith, the kitchen window is all broken 
suddenly exclaimed Mrs. Murdock, the housekeeper, 
entering the room at that moment. ^^Why ? What has 
happened she added as she saw the broken desk, and 
noted the serious faces of Mr. Smith and his sons. 
^^What ever is the matter 

robbery,’’ said Mr. Smith, briefly. ^Aly desk was 
broken open last night, and three thousand dollars 
taken !” 

^^Oh! Oh! How terrible!” cried the housekeeper. 
^^Rohhers ! And to think of me sleeping quietly in my 
bed ! I might have been murdered, and I never would 
have known a thing about it.” 

^^Oh, I guess you would,” remarked William in a 
low voice. 

^AVhat’s that you said about the kitchen window be- 
ing open?” asked John. 

^^It’s all smashed. The one over the sink.” 

^^Then that’s how the burglar got in!” cried Pete. 
^^Come on, let’s have a look !” 

They went into the kitchen. A large pane in the 
window over the sink had been broken. The glass was 
scattered all about, and the window was partly up. 

^^See if there are any traces outside,” directed John. 

William and Pete ran out of the back door. Their 
excited shouts soon told that they had discovered some- 
thing. Mr. Smith and John hurried out. 

^^He stood upon the step ladder, to reach the win- 
dow,” said William, pointing to the ladder which rested 


Searching for the Thief 37 

against tlie house. The window over the sink, being 
higher than the others, made this necessary. 

‘^He stood on the ladder to open the window,” went 
on Pete, ^^and he must have gotten out the same way. 
He smashed a pane, slipped back the catch, and the rest 
was easy. That was the breaking glass you heard, 
William.” 

guess it was. I wish I had called some one.” 

^^So do I,” added Mr. Smith, ^^but there’s no use in 
worrying over that now. Let us see if there are any 
other traces.” 

They looked about for foot prints, but either they 
were not skillful enough to see any, or the hard ground 
had retained no traces. 

We’ll take another look inside,” proposed John. 

He closely examined the broken window. Suddenly 
he uttered a cry. 

^^What’s the matter? Cut yourself on the glass?” 
asked his father anxiously. 

^^Ho; but I think the burglar did.” 

^^What do you mean ?” 

^There are traces of blood here, and he evidently 
washed himself in the sink.” 

'Tf he has a bad cut, we may be able to trace him 
more easily,” said Mr. Smith. ^^He may have to have 
medical treatment.” 

‘Hook here !” called John quickly, pointing to some- 
thing on the wall, near the window jamb. 

“What is it ?” asked William. 

“A bloody mark left by the burglar’s hand. After he 


Those Smith Boys 


38 

cut himself he rested his hand against the wall, either 
in getting in or out of the window. See, the mark is 
quite plain! And look!’’ added John quickly. ^^See 
what sort of a mark it is !” 

He was greatly excited. 

^AVhat it it?” asked Pete. 

^^It’s a mark of a hand without a thumb! A left 
hand!” 

^^The man we met in the meadow !” cried William. 
‘^The man without a thumb — Mr. Pandell — ^let’s see if 
we can’t find him!” 

^^A man without a thumb !” repeated Mr. Smith. ^Hs 
that the man you thought was the express robber?” 

^That’s him,” replied John. ^^Only he wasn’t. But 
he’s the one who took your three thousand dollars all 
right dad, and we’ll see if we can’t find him! We 
must tell the police at once, and then make some in- 
quiries, to see if he went to Mrs. Anderson’s. After 
that ” 

John paused. He could not think of the next best 
thing to do. 

^^And after that we’ll go to the new railroad camp,” 
finished William. 

^^The new railroad camp ?” 

^Wes. There are all sorts of men hanging around 
there, and maybe the man without a thumb may have 
been there. We’ll make some inquiries of the con- 
struction gang. Come on, fellows.” 

^^Wait a moment,” suggested Mr. Smith. ^W^e ought 
to find some way of preserving that imprint of the 


Searching for the Thief 39 

bloody hand, without a thumb. It may prove useful as 
evidence, or for a clue.” 

^^Of course,” assented John. ^^Well, we can peel oif 
the patch of wall paper which has it on. You do that, 
dad, while we go notify the police.” 


CHAPTER V 


AT THE RAILROAD CAMP 

Taking a tliin, sharp knife Mr. Smith prepared to 
take otf the piece of wall paper, while his sons, eager 
to begin their search for the robber, hurried to the 
police station. Marshall Denbj was so startled by the 
news that he hardly knew what to do. 

robbery you say?’’ he asked. ^Hight here in 
town ? Why I never heard of such a thing ! And me, 
and Hank Edwards, and Sim Trollop, and Si Bascomb 
patrolling the streets all night! Why, we never seen 
nothin’ of him!” 

^Wery likely not,” observed John, ^Tut he was at 
our house all right. Father wants to know if you’ll 
notify the detectives at Spragueville;” 

^^Course I will, if he wants me to, but me and my 
constables can do jest as much good. I’ll go up, and 
look for some clues, and then I’ll get right after that 
villian. The idea! A burglary right here in town! 
Three thousand dollars! Say, that’ll come hard on 
your father, John.” 

^T’m afraid it will. Well, we’ll be getting back Mr. 
Denby. Don’t forget to notify the police at Spragueville. ” 

^T’ll not. The idea ! A robbery right here in town !” 
and it seemed as if the marshall could not understand 
bow such a thing had happened. 


At the Railroad Camp 


41 


The boys hurried home to tell their father of their 
visit to the police, and found Mr. Smith making an in- 
spection of the grounds about the house. 

^T’m looking for traces of the thief/’ he explained, 
wonder why Waggles didn’t bark?” 

^^That’s so ; where is the dog ?” asked William. 

^^He hasn’t been around since yesterday,” said his 
father. 

^^Maybe he’s chasing that cat yet,” remarked Pete. 
“He’s getting so he stays away from home a lot 
lately.” 

“That sounds like him barking now,” observed John. 
“Yes that’s him,” he added, and presently there came 
running into the yard a much-bedraggled dog. 

“He’s been out in the woods all night,” said William, 
with a glance at the animal’s coat, which was thick 
with burrs and brambles. “That the way you keep 
watch ; is it. Waggles ? You’re a fine dog, you are !” 

Waggles seemed to feel the reproof in the lad’s voice, 
and, dropping his tail between his legs he slunk along, 
fearing a beating. 

“Oh, I’m not going to touch you,” went on William. 
“But you’ll stay chained up the rest of day, and we’ll 
see how you like that.” 

He took the dog to the kennel, and then, he and his 
brothers having made a hasty breakfast, started for the 
railroad camp. 

The railroad was an extension of the Green Valley 
line, and was slowly approaching Freeport. There were 
many rumors concerning the work, and it was a source 
of much wonder to the people of Freeport, and its rival 


42 Those Smith Boys 

town across the river, Vandalia, just what the railroad 
owners were going to do. 

The line would cross the Way dell river somewhere 
in the vicinity of the two towns, but it made all the 
difference in the world whether it came through Tree- 
port, and established a station there, or continued on to 
Vandalia, and made that its halting place. 

As far as the railroad was concerned it made little 
difference, from an engineering or financial standpoint, 
in which town it built a station. It could do it equally 
well in either, and the matter had not yet been decided. 
The managers of the enterprise had left it all to their 
chief surveyor, who was to run the line in the best way, 
and place the depot where he thought it would be most 
to the advantage of the road. 

But it made a great deal of difference to the two 
towns. That which the railroad came to would increase 
in population, the real estate would be more valuable, 
and business would boom. The town that did not get 
the railroad would probably lose much of its poulation, 
business would suffer and it would never prosper. 

So there was more rivalry than ever between Free- 
port and Vandalia wFen it became known that the 
railroad was coming. Each town wanted it, and did its 
best to get the managers to promise to build the depot 
within its borders. But, so far, no decision had been 
reached. The head surveyor, Mr. Jason Stanton felt 
that there was plenty of time to decide, as the end of 
the line was still several miles from the Way dell river. 
He said he would make known, before the end of sum- 
mer, which town would get the road and the depot. 


At the Railroad Camp 


43 


It seemed that Yandalia stood the best chance, as it 
was not so far down the river as was Freeport, and the 
railroad could reach it easier. To get to Freeport a 
little longer line would have to he built. The people 
of Vandalia rejoiced in this, and many of them were 
counting on the time when the line would reach them, 
and business would increase. 

On the other hand Mr. Smith, and some of the mer- 
chants of Freeport declared that their town offered 
the most advantages for the railroad, as it was nearer 
to a large farming community, which would provide 
plenty of freight for the road. 

It was to the construction camp of the Green Valley 
line, therefor, that the three Smith brothers journeyed, 
in search for clues of the robber. 

^^WhoTl we ask about it inquired William, as they 
neared the place where gangs of men were swarming 
about, loading dirt trains, building temporary tracks, 
and driving teams of horses, while the whistling of 
diminutive locomotives, and the puffing of steam 
shovels, added to the noise and confusion. 

^^Let’s ask the foreman,’’ suggested Pete. ^^He’s got 
a shack over by that big rock.” 

^^Maybe some of the surveying crowd would be better 
to tackle,” suggested John. 

The boys had been to the railroad camp before, and 
knew some of the men. 

'^The foreman’s better natured,” said Pete. ^^His 
name is Ted Carboy. Mr. Stanton, the head surveyor, 
is uppish.” 

^^Then we’ll tackle Mr. Carboy,” decided William. 


44 


Those Smith Boys 


he called to a lad who was carrying a pail of 
water, ^Vhere’s Mr. Carboy?’’ 

^^Dnnno,” replied the water boy. ^^Last I seen of 
him he was goin’ np that way,” and the lad pointed up 
the track. 

^^Think he’ll come back ?” asked Pete, 
dunno.” 

^^Have yon seen or heard of a man around here with- 
out a thumb on his left hand ?” asked William, think- 
ing he might gain some information in this way. 

man without a thumb? !N^aw, but there’s a feller 
over at that steam shovel what ain’t got but one hand. 
Th’ other was blowed off with a stick of dynamite he 
was thawin’ last winter. Maybe he’s th’ feller you 
want.” 

^‘No, I guess not,” replied John. ^This man had 
only a thumb off. Is there any one around here in Mr. 
Carboy’s place ? Any one we ask about this man we’re 
looking for ?” 

dunno. What’s he done?” 

^^He robbed our father,” said Pete. ‘^He took ” 

'^Wa-ter!” called a distant workman, and the boy 
with the pail started off. 

^^I’ve got to go now,” he said. ^^You’ll find Mr. 
Carboy somewheres up the line,” and, with a wave of 
his hand he hurried to give the thirsty laborers a drink. 

The three brothers continued on along the roughly 
laid tracks. They met one of the surveyors, carrying 
a long pole, painted with red and black numbers. 

^^Have you seem Mr. Carboy ?” asked John. 

^^Yes, he’s back there, by that fartherest steam 



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“r.OYS, LOOK HERK !” EXCLAIMED JOHN, EXCITEDLY. 

P 


aye 220. 




At the Railroad Camp 45 

shovel, replied the surveyor, ^^but there’s no use asking 
for jobs. WeVe got all the men we want.” 

^^We’re not looking for work,” said William quickly. 

^^Good thing ; you wouldn’t get it,” and the surveyor 
laughed unpleasantly. 

^‘There’s Mr. Carboy now,” exclaimed Pete a little 
later. They knew the foreman of the construction gang 
by sight. Going up to him John quickly explained their 
errand, ending by asking if Mr. Carboy had seen any- 
thing of a man with a wounded hand, or one with a 
missing thumb. 

^^Say!” exclaimed the foreman quickly, as John 
finished, ^T’ll bet that’s the fellow I saw!” 

^^Where?” asked William. 

^Tt was early this morning,” went on Mr. Carboy, 
was back in the woods, looking for some long trees 
to use as timbers in a temporary bridge we’ve got to 
build, and I saw a fellow coming along, with a bloody 
handkerchief tied around his hand. When he saw me 
he acted as though he was afraid, and he started to turn 
back. Then he thought better of it, and come on. 

asked him if he’d hurt himself, and he said he’d 
fallen, and got cut on a sharp stone. Then he asked 
me the nearest way to get to Branchmead, and I told 
him. I’ll bet he w^as the chap you’re looking for.” 

^^Did he have a thumb off his left hand ?” asked Pete, 
couldn’t see. That was the hand he had done up 
in his handkerchief.” 

^‘That’s him!” declared John. ^W^e’re on his trail! 
Let’s go to Branchmead.” 

You’d better telegraph or telephone to the police 


Those Smith Boys 


46 

there/’ advised Mr. Carboy. ^^That’s the quickest way. 
There’s a telephone in my shack you can use.” 

^Thanks,” said William. ^That’s what we’ll do.” 

!N’ews of the robbery, and of the man without a 
thumb who was suspected of committing it was soon 
imparted to the Branchmead police, who promised to 
be on the lookout for the fellow. 

^^Have they decided where the railroad’s coming 
yet?” asked John, as he and his brothers prepared to 
leave the camp. 

^^ITo, not exactly,” replied Mr. Carboy. ^^Mr. Stan- 
ton is going to make a decision soon, though. He’s got 
to, as we’re pushing right up to the river, and he’ll have 
to settle where the bridge is going.” 

hope it comes to Freeport,” said Pete. ^Tt will 
make quite a town out of the place.” 

^That’s what Vandalia hopes, too,” said Mr. Carboy, 
hear they had a meeting there, the other day, and 
agreed to give the land for a station free. Your town 
ought to do something like that. Maybe it would in- 
duce the owners to come to Freeport.” 

^^That’s a good idea,” said John. ^^We’ll tell dad. 
He’s on the town committee.” 

^^Come out again, some day,” invited the foreman, 
who liked boys. 

^^We will,” promised William, as he and his brothers 
started for home. 


CHAPTEE VI 


SPIDER LAXGDON’s TRICK 

^Toor dad/’ remarked John, as they walked along 
over the fields. ‘^That’s a heavy loss to him.” 

wonder if it will make trouble ?” spoke William, 
course it will/’ declared Pete. ^^Didn’t you 
hear him say he needed the money for the store ? Maybe 
he’ll have to close it up.” 

^^And maybe we’ll have to go to work/’ added John. 

^^That wouldn’t be so bad/’ was William’s opinion. 
^^I’d like to get a job on the railroad.” 

^^As water boy or one of the surveyors ?” asked Pete. 

^^Either one, as long as I was earning money.” 

^AVell, we’ll have to wait and see what happens,” 
said John. 

^Tet’s take the short cut, across the brook,” proposed 
William, a little later. ^^It’ll save most a mile.” 

^^All right,” agreed John. ^^Dad’s probably anxious 
for us to come back.” 

As the brothers neared the brook, taking a path 
which led over fields, their approach was noticed by 
two lads who ^vere hidden from view by thick bushes 
that lined the bank of the stream. The lads were 
Spider Langdon and Beantoe Pudder. They were 
fishing, but had not had very good luck. Spider, haul- 


48 Those Smith Boys 

ing in his line, when he thought he had a bite, ex- 
claimed : 

^^Those blamed simfish are nibbling off the bait.’^ 

^^That’s right/’ agreed Beantoe, getting np to take 
off a small fish he had pulled out, and, stumbling over 
a tree root. ^^Let’s quit. This is no fun.” 

^^All right. I’m ready.” 

Spider uncurled his long legs, and gazed through the 
bushes across the field. 

^Tlere come the Smith gang,” he said. 

^^That’s right; all three of ’em.” 

^^They’re headed right this way. Wonder if they’re 
going fishing?” 

^^Guess not. They haven’t got any poles.” 

^They’re taking the short cut,” observed Spider. 
^^They’ll cross the brook right by the old r^ill. Say ” 

He stopped suddenly, his freckled face illuminated 
by an idea. 

‘AVhat?” asked Beantoc, 

'T’ve got a plan.” 

^AVhat is it?” 

chance to get even with those fellows. Let’s play 
a trick on ’em. We owe ’em something.” 

''We sure do. I’m with you. What’ll we do ?” 

"I’ll show you. We’ll give one or two of ’em a dip in 
the brook. That’ll cool ’em off.” 

Spider and Beantoe sneaked along the edge of the 
brook taking care to keep well within the screen of the 
bushes. They reached the path along which the three 
Smith brothers must come, and there Spider cut off 
part of his fish line. This he fastened across the path, 


Spider Langdon’s Trick 


49 


a few inches above it, tying the ends to stout stakes 
driven into the ground. The cord was in such a posi- 
tion that it could not readily be seen, and was quite 
close to the edge of the brook, so that a person stumbling 
against it would be pitched into the stream. 

^^There, I guess that’ll fix ’em,” observed Spider, as 
he tied the last knot. '^]^ow we’ll hide back here, and 
watch the fun.” 

^‘Don’t let ’em see us,” cautioned Beantoe, ^fif they 
do they’ll ” 

He did not finish the sentence, for he stumbled over 
a root sticking up, and nearly fell. 

^^If you do that again, it’ll give the whole thing 
away,” said Spider angrily. ^^They’re almost here.” 
couldn’t help it. Spider.” 

^^Aw, you’re always stumbling ! Why don’t you look 
where you’re going? Come in here, now, and hide. 
Keep still ! Here they are !” 

Meanwhile the brothers were coming along the path 
to the brook. The stream was quite shallow at this 
point, and could be crossed by means of several broad, 
fiat stones, laid down for that purpose. 

^Alaybe we’ll take a trip to Branchmead this after- 
noon,” said John, as he walked along. think ” 

The next moment he pitched forward, holding out 
his hands to save himself, and down he came in the 
brook, splashing the water all about. 

William was only a few feet behind him, and, as 
John had not broken the stout string when he tripped 
over it, William’s foot, too, caught in it, and he went 
sprawling into the brook beside his brother. Pete 


Those Smith Boys 


50 

stopped in time, but he would have come to no harm, as 
William yanked out one of the pegs in his fall. 

^^Are you hurt?’’ cried Pete, as he hastened across 
the fording stones to where his brothers were flounder- 
ing in the water. 

^^ISTo — Ugh! Plug! Pufl! I’m not hurt, but I’ll 
hurt the fellow who put that string there!” declared 
John, struggling to his feet. 

^^Same — bulb — ub — here — ugh! Splug! Mug!” 

mumbled William, as he got rid of a lot of water. 

Meanwhile Spider and Beantoe, concealed in the 
bushes, were trying their best not to laugh, and so be- 
tray their presence. 

^AVho did it ?” demanded Pete. 

don’t know. But I know I got the full beneflt 
of it,” declared John. wish the water had been a 
bit deeper. I hurt my wrist when I fell. 

got jarred up considerable myself,” added Wil- 
liam. 

Pete had picked up the string and was looking at 
the stakes. 

^Ut’s part of a fish line,” he said. 

^W^'es, and somebody who did it left part of their 
fish behind,” added William. He pointed to a small 
perch lying near the bushes where the two conspirators 
were concealed. 

^AVhoever did it knew we were coming,” observed 
j ohn. 

wouldn’t wonder but what Spider or Beantoe had 
a hand in this,” was Pete’s opinion. ^‘^They’ve been 
looking for a chance to get even with us,” 


Spider Langdon’s Trick 51 

Something suspicious in the hushes caught John’s 
eye. It was a glimpse of the checked shirt worn by 
Spider. John took a step toward the underbrush. The 
hidden lads saw him coming, and attempted to sneak 
away, but Beantoe’s unfortunate habit of stumbling 
prevented. He pitched forward in the bushes, having 
caught his foot in a trailing vine, and the noise he made 
showed the Smith brothers where their enemies were 
hiding. 

^^Here they are!” cried John, as he made a dive, and 
caught Beantoe. 

Spider tried to break through the underbrush, but 
William was too quick for him, and hauled him out. 

‘^You let me alone !” demanded Spider. 

^Wes, let go,” added Beantoe, squirming, but John 
had too good a grip of him. 

^‘What are doing in there?” asked Pete. 

^^Hothin’,” declared Spider. 

^Tishin’,” said Beantoe, in the same breath. 

lot of fish you’ll catch at the ford,” commented 
William. ^AVhich one of you stretched that string 
across the path?” 

Beantoe and Spider preserved a discrete silence. 

^Tt was Spider,” said Pete, with a look at the long- 
legged lad’s pole, which he still held. 

^^How do you know I did it?” asked Spider, trying 
to twist loose. 

^A^our line’s cut,” declared Pete in triumph, ^^and 
the line across the path is the same kind,” and he 
showed his brothers. 

^^You’re a regular detective,” sneered Spider. 


52 


Those Smith Boys 


good enoiigli detective for that/’ answered Pete. 
^^Thej did it all right, fellows. What’ll we do to ’em 

^Throw ’em in the brook,” suggested William. 

‘A^es, np at the eddy, where it’s deep,” added Pete. 

^^Don’t you dare do that!” cried Beantoe. I’ll — 
I’ll have yon arrested if yon do.” 

^^IIow about tripping us and making us fall in the 
water ?” asked J ohn. 

‘^I didn’t do it. Spider did it,” declared Beantoe, 
thinking to escape by throwing all the blame on his 
crony. 

did not! You helped as much as I did,” de- 
clared Spider. 

^Toss ’em in,” said Pete. ^^Then let’s get home.” 

^^If you do. I’ll punch your head,” threatened Spider. 

‘^I’d like to see you try,” replied Pete. ^^Do you 
want to fight?” 

^^How, no fighting,” interposed his older brother. 
^AVe’ll duck ’em, and that will even things up.” 

^^Aw, please don’t” begged Beantoe. ^‘I’ll never do 
it again.” 

will,” declared Spider vindictively. ^^I’ll get 
square with you, all right!” 

^^Then we’ll give you something to get square about,” 
said John. 

Carrying and dragging the two lads, the Smith boys 
walked up stream a little distance, to where there was 
a deep eddy. Prom the bank they cast into it Spider 
and Beantoe, despite their struggles, and Beantoe’s 
pleadings for mercy. 

^^Yow swim out, and cool off,” suggested William, as 


Spider Langdon’s Trick 


53 


he and his brothers resumed their journey home, which 
advice the two tricksters, being good swimmers, 
promptly followed. 

^^You just wait,” called Spider after the Smith boys. 
^^1^11 get square with you all right.” 

^^That’s right,” added Beantoe, leaning over to let 
some water run out of his left ear. J ust you wait !” 


CHAPTER VII 


A EUNAWAY HAND CAB 

When the boys reached home they found Marshall 
Denby, two constables and their father, looking about 
the house and grounds for possible clues. Mr. Smith 
had carefully removed the piece of blood-stained vrall 
paper. 

^That^ll be a valuable clue,” declared the marshall. 
‘T’m going to have some photographs made from it, and 
send ’em all over the country. We’ll catch that fellow, 
sure.” 

‘^He must be some relation to the man who robbed the 
express company,” said one of the constables. ^^Both 
of ’em has thumbs off.” 

‘^But on different hands,” said John. 

^^Maybe they belong to some secret society, and they 
have to cut off their thumbs,” suggested the marshall. 

^^Shouldn’t wonder a bit,” chimed in the other con- 
stable. read a book once about a band of criminals 
that all had their left ears missing.” 

^^Well, that isn’t going to get my three thousand dol- 
lars back,” said Mr. Smith. guess the thief didn’t 
leave any of it behind him.” 

J ohn told what he and his brothers had accomplished, 
and how they had telephoned to Branchmead concern- 
ing the wounded man Mr. Carboy had seen. 


A Runaway Hand Car 


55 

^^Then I guess that’s all we can do at present/’ 
remarked Mr. Smith. ^^The police will have to do the 
rest.” 

^‘^Yes, I’ll get right hack, and see about having some 
photographs made of this wall paper,” said the mar- 
shall. ^‘^I’ll let you know in case me or my men catch 
the robber, Mr. Smith.” 

''All right. Do your best.” 

"We will. It’s the biggest robbery that ever took 
place in Freeport. Strange how it happened, and me 
not knowing a thing about it,” and the aged marshall 
went off, dubiously shaking his head, the constables 
following. 

"I suppose this will make a great difference in your 
business, dad,” remarked John, when they were seated 
in the dining room, about the broken desk. 

"Yes, it’s likely to.” 

'‘Will you have to give it up ?” 

"I hope not. I owe considerable money, and I was 
counting on this to meet my bills. I think I shall have 
to discharge two of my clerks, and Mr. Davidson and 
myself will have to run things.” 

"Couldn’t we work in the store ?” asked William. 

"I don’t know. I hardly know what to say. I’ll have 
to wait a few days, and consider matters. I suppose 
you boys could help me out. But I don’t know — ^maybe 
I’ll have to give up the store. I’m so worried I can’t 
think properly now.” 

The boys saw that their father was in no condition 
to discuss matters^ for fhe loss of his money had upset 


Those Smith Boys 


56 

him. So they went outside, to talk the situation over. 
They arrived at no satisfactory conclusion, however. 

Several days passed, and there was no trace found of 
the thief. I^or was any of the money recovered, and, 
as time went on, and Mr. Smith considered his business 
affairs, he grew more and more worried. The boys sel- 
dom saw him, for he went away early and came home 
late, and when John asked him if they could help him 
he only answered with a shake of his head. 

^T’ll know how I stand in a few days,” he said, a lit- 
tle later. ^^You boys can’t do anything now, but maybe 
you can help me after — after I get matters straightened 
out. Meanwhile have as much fun as you can, but don’t 
get into mischief. ISTo more sending little girls up on 
kites.” 

promised John. 

Let’s take the kite out to-day,” proposed William 
that afternoon. ‘‘We can attach a basket to the cord, 
and send Waggles up in it. Eh, Waggles?” 

The dog nearly lost his shaggy tail, so violently did 
he agitate it, to show his pleasure at what was in pros- 
pect, but, fortunately for him, he did not appreciate it. 

“E'o, let’s don’t fly the kite,” objected Pete. 

“What’ll we do then?” asked John. 

“Let’s go up to the railroad camp. I heard Bateye 
Jones say they were going to do a lot of blasting to-day.” 

“All right, we’ll go watch ’em. Mr. Carboy invited 
us to call.” 

“We ought to go Ashing,” remarked William. 
“They’re biting fine down by the sycamore tree hole, 
so Doc Lutken was saying.” 


A Runaway Hand Car 57 

go to-morrow/^ answered John. ^^Kow let’s 
go and see ’em blast.” 

They spent some time in the railroad camp, watching 
the men working the ponderous steam shovels, that took 
such big mouthsfnll of dirt and loaded it on the cars, 
running to cover when the blasts went off, and returning 
to see what great holes were torn in the side of the rocky 
cut. 

^^Let’s go np where they’re building the bridge,” pro- 
posed William, after an hour spent in the main camp. 
The bridge w’as one being constructed over a small 
stream, about a mile back, and at the summit of a 
slight grade. 

The boys remained Aiere half an hour, and, looking 
about for some new object of interest. Fete saw a hand 
car on a siding. 

wish we could take a ride on that,” he remarked. 
‘‘I wonder if we could ?” 

^Tf Mr. Carboy was here he’d let us,” answered Pete, 

^^Let’s try it anyhow,” proposed John. ^^We can run 
it back and forth on the siding. ISTo one will care I 
guess.” 

^^Here she goes,” said William, who was generally 
the first to do any new stunt. 

The boys got aboard and began to work the handle up 
and down. The car moved forward, gathering speed as 
it went down the grade, and the faster it progressed, 
the harder did the boys w^ork the handles, until they 
vrere traveling quite fast. 

^^This is jolly!” cried William. wish I worked 
on the railroad. I’d ride home this way every night.” 


Those Smith Boys 


58 

as good fun as a bicycle,” agreed Pete. ^^Let’s 
take it out on tbe main line, one will care.” 

They were approaching the switch where the siding 
branched off, and, as they were quite near it a voice 
shouted : 

^^Hi ! You boys get off that hand car !” 

s one of the surveyors,” said William. ^^Shall we 
duck ?” 

^^^Taw, go on,” insisted Pete. 

‘^Better not,” advised John. 

^^Get off there !” cried the man again. “Put that car 
back on the siding! A dirt train is coming!” 

“Then we’d better get out of the way!” exclaimed 
William. “Here goes ! Come on, fellows !” 

He leaped from the car, for the surveyor was run- 
ning toward them. Pete paused long enough to apply 
the foot brake, while John tried to stay the progress of 
the car by bracing against the swiftly moving handles, 
going up and down. But the car was on the down 
grade, and, instead of losing speed, was gathering 
momentum. 

“I can’t stop her !” cried Pete. 

“Me either,” added John. 

“Jump, fellows,” advised William. 

The hand car was now out on the main track, where 
the grade of the temporary line was greater. Hot want- 
ing to remain on the vehicle, as the puffing of an 
approaching dirt train could be heard, and being unable 
to stop the hand car, the two Smith boys were forced 
to jump. They landed in some soft sand, and were 
only jarred. 


A Runaway Hand Car 59 

! Stop that car !’’ cried the surveyor. ^^Stop it 
I say!” 

^^We can’t,” answered William. 

^^It’ll go right into camp,” went on the man, running 
in vain after the car. 

^^Too bad,” remarked John, hut he did not seem to 
he very sorry. 

^^We’d better get out of here,” said Pete. 

^^That’s right. Sawed-off,” admitted William. '^Some- 
thing may happen. Come on !” 

They started to run, fearful of being caught by the 
surveyor, who was making frantic signals. The hand 
car was rolling on, faster and faster. Down the main 
track it rumbled, and the speed was increasing every 
moment, for the grade was steep. 

"It can’t do much damage,” remarked William, as if 
that was some consolation. "It’s light.” 

"I’m afraid we’ll get into trouble,” said John, as he 
and his brothers hurried on. lie little knew just how 
much trouble the thoughtless prank was to cause, nor 
what far-reaching results it -would have. 


CHAPTER VIII 


WHAT THE HAND CAR HIT 

Seated in his tent, at the foot of the grade, was Mr. 
Jason Stanton, chief surveyor of the Green Valley rail- 
road. His tent was filled with instruments, books, maps, 
tables of figures, blue prints, frames for making them, 
a few chairs and a large table. It was over this table 
that Mr. Stanton was bending, making some calcula- 
tions about a new curve in the line. 

^^Hum/’ he mused. must soon settle about which 
way the road is going to run in order to cross the 
river. I wonder if it would be best to let it touch Tree- 
port, or not go down quite so far, and build a depot 
at Vandalia? The people there seem to be more pro- 
gressive than in Freeport, and it would be a little easier 
to run the line there. But I think it will be best, in 
the end, to touch Freeport.’’ 

He paused in his musings, did some calculating, 
looked over a map of the surrounding country, and then 
leaned back in his chair. 

really think I’ll run the Toad to Freeport,” he 
said. ^^As long as they’ve left it to me to decide, and as 
it doesn’t make much difference from an engineering 
standpoint, I think we’ll go to Freeport. I suppose the 
people of Vandalia will be much disappointed, as I 


What the Hand Car Hit 


6i 


understand they are counting on the line coming there. 
But I can’t please both places, and I think we’ll go to 
Ereeport. I’ll just notify the Board of Trade there. 
They wanted me to let them know, so as to prepare for 
a boom in business. I guess I’ll write them a letter.” 

Mr. Stanton ^ot out a pen and a sheet of paper. He 
sat down to his desk, and had just dipped his pen in 
the ink, when a curious rumbling sound caught his 
ear. 

^^What’s that ?” he said. ^^Sounds like a car coming 
down the grade.” 

Then he heard the whistle of one of the small loco- 
motives. 

dirt train, I guess,” he went on. ^^They’re run- 
ning too fast though, for a temporary track. I must 
speak to Carboy about it.” 

Mr. Stanton started to write the letter to the presi- 
dent of the Ereeport Board of Trade, informing him, 
that, inside of a year, the railroad would be at his 
town. He had gotten as far as ^My Dear Sir,” when 
something happened. 

The rumbling of the runaway hand car became louder. 
It was a shrill roar now, as the vehicle thundered down 
the line. 

How, as it happened, there was, just outside Mr. 
Stanton’s tent, a small tank, filled with water, perched 
upon some upright stakes, driven into the ground near 
the track. The water was to supply the boiler of a sta- 
tionary engine, which was used in the railroad construc- 
tion work. Just at the point where the water tank was, 
the track curved. 


62 


Those Smith Boys 


The hand car, going at high speed, struck this curve, 
and promptly jumped the track. It went hurtling 
against the uprights that supported the tank, and 
snapped them off, as if they were toothpicks. 

This, of course, brought the water tank down, but, 
fortunately for Mr. Stanton, the debris was suflScient to 
stop the progress of the car, or that might have con- 
tinued right on into his tent. 

As it was the water tank being turned upside down, 
spilled out all the contents, and these contents poured 
like a small flood, right into the canvas shelter of the 
chief surveyor. 

The crash of the car striking the tank supports was 
instantly followed by the deluge, and Mr. Stanton^s let- 
ter writing was forcibly interrupted. He felt a great 
wave washing over him, all about him were splinters 
of wood. The tent collapsed, and, when he had time 
to look about him, he found himself in a puddle of 
water, underneath a table, while, all around him, were 
books, papers, blue prints and his surveying instru- 
ments. 

At first he thought a cloud burst had occurred, but 
when he heard no succeeding thunder, but, instead, 
the noise of rushing feet, and many shouts, he imag- 
ined that a dynamite explosion had taken place. 

He got up, shook the water from his clothing, looked 
at the ruin and devastation on all sides, and started to 
crawl from the collapsed tent. As he emerged he saw 
running toward him a number of the surveyors, track- 
men, and Mr. Carboy. 

^^Are you hurt?’’ asked the foreman. 


What the Hand Car Hit 63 

^^^^0 — ^that is I tliink not verj mncli/’ replied the 
chief surveyor. ^^Was any one else hurt?’’ 

^^JSTo. I believe not.” 

^^Where was the explosion?” asked Mr. Stanton. 

^^Explosion ?” repeated Mr. Carboy. ^There wasn’t 
any explosion.” 

^^E'o? What was it then?” asked the bewildered 
surveyor. 

runaway hand car. It struck the water tank, and 
knocked it over.” 

runaway hand car ? How did it get on the main 

line ?” 

^^That’s more than I know,” answered the fore- 
man. 

^^You’d better find out,” went on Mr. Stanton. '^Hone 
of the construction gang should have had a hand car out 
on the main line this time of day.” 

“I know it. I’ll look into it. It must have sur- 
prised you.” 

^^Surprised is hardly the word,” remarked Mr. Stan- 
ton, as he wrung some of the water from his coat. 
^Hook at my tent! It’s worse inside than it is out. 
Help me lift it up. I must dry my instruments.” 

Under the direction of the foreman some of his labor- 
ers soon had the tent lifted to one side. Then Mr. Car- 
boy assisted Mr. Stanton in picking up the papers and 
books. 

^^A lot of blue prints destroyed,” remarked the sur- 
veyor. ^^Some of my tables of calculations spoiled. My 
books all wet, and a suit ruined. You’ll discharge who 
ever’s responsible for this, Mr. Carboy.” 


Those Smith Boys 


64 

certainly will. It’s lucky you weren’t hurt.” 

He went to where the hand car had come to rest in a 
pile of sand, after turning completely over. 

^^It’s the car that was on the hill siding,” he remarked. 
^^There was no excuse for using that.” 

Just then the surveyor, who had warned the Smith 
hoys off the car, came hurrying up. He was out of 
breath, for he had run far. 

‘^Any — one — hurt ?” he gasped. 

Then he saw the collapsed tent, and beheld the drip- 
ping figure of the chief surveyor. 

^^Oh,” was all he said. 

Something in the man’s air attracted the attention 
of Mr. Carboy. 

^^Hid you see this car start ?” he asked. 

did,” replied the surveyor, ^Tut I couldn’t stop 
it, and there was no way of warning any one.” 

^^Who put it on the main line ?” asked the fore- 
man. 

^^Some boys. Three of ’em. The same ones who 
came over one morning and asked you about a man 
they said had robbed their father.” 

^^Those Smith boys !” exclaimed the foreman. 

‘^Who ?” asked the chief surveyor quickly. 

'Those Smith boys, of Freeport.” 

"Freeport, eh?” and there was a queer look on Mr. 
Stanton’s face. 

"They were fooling with it,” went on the man who 
had seen the beginning of the accident. "I warned 
them off, but they didn’t go until it was too late. Then 
the ear ran from the siding onto the main track, and 


What the Hand Car Hit 65' 


they jumped off. I ran, but I couldn’t catch them 
or the car.” 

^^Hum,” remarked Mr. Stanton slowly. Then he 
looked at the scene of ruin all about, at the broken 
water tank, his wrecked tent, and his scattered 
papers. 

^T’ll look into this,” he said. . ^^Mr. Kobinson, I 
wish you’d write a letter for me. I want it sent at 
once, and I can’t attend to it until I clean up a bit.” 

^^Yes, sir,” replied the surveyor, who had seen the 
prank of the Smith boys. ^^Who to ?” 

^^One to the Board of Trade of Freeport. Say I have 
decided that the railroad will not come there. I have 
seen a sample of the youth of that town, and I can’t say 
I like their manners. Any boys who would play such 
pranks as this would do something worse. They might 
wreck a train, some day, just for fun. 'No railroad for 
Freeport. That is my decision. The other letter you 
may write to the Board of Trade of Vandalia.” 

‘^Yes, sir.” 

^^State that the Green Valley railroad will be there 
inside of a year.” 

^^Yes, sir,” replied Mr. Kobinson, starting for his 
work tent. 

^^Those Smith boys, eh,” mused Mr. Stanton, as he 
took off his wet coat. ^AVell, I guess the citizens of 
Freeport will find that it doesn’t pay to raise such a 
crop of youngsters. I like fun as well as any one, but 
I don’t call this fun. It will cost their town the 
railroad.” 

And, as Mr. Stanton had the deciding voice, and ag 


66 


Those Smith Boys 


he was naturally very much incensed at what had hap- 
pened, Freeport was destined to suffer. 

Meanwhile the Smith boys, all unaware of what had 
taken place, but fearing that some mischief had fol- 
lowed their thoughtless play, were hurrying toward 
home. 


CHAPTER IX 


A BOTTLE OF PAREGOEIC 

^^Where do you s’pose that hand car landed asked 
William, as he and his brothers took a roundabout way 
back to Freeport. 

donT know/’ replied John. only hope it didn’t 
hurt any one.” 

^^Do you think it might ?” inquired Pete anxiously. 

^Hure, it might,” said John. ^^Probably, though, it 
ran into a heap of dirt, and stopped. Anyhow, we 
couldn’t help it. We didn’t mean to start it down grade 
on the main line.” 

course not,” added Pete, ^^but if something has 
happened, and we say we didn’t mean to do it, I know 
what dad will say.” 

‘ W^hat ?” asked J ohn. 

^^He’ll get mad, and say that’s always our excuse.” 

^^Well, it is,” spoke William frankly. ^^Who’d a’ 
thought the hand car would ever go so fast? I hope 
that surveyor didn’t recognize us.” 

^^Oh, he did all right,” was Pete’s opinion. 

^^Well, we can’t help it now,” said William. ^^Hello ! 
there’s a good apple tree. Let’s get some.” 

They scrambled over a fence into an orchard, and 
were soon filling their pockets with the half ripe fruit, 
eating some as they picked. 


68 


Those Smith Boys 


^^Um! Saj these ain’t good!” exclaimed William, 
biting into a juicy specimen. 

^^All to the lolly-pop !” added Pete. ‘^Let’s come here 
with a basket to-morrow. I wonder who they belong to, 
anyhow 

^^This is part of Sam Bogard’s land,” said John. 
guess he won’t care if we help ourselves. Oh, there’s 
a dandy big one.” 

He threw a stone at a particularly fine red apple, one 
that was riper than any of the others. It came down 
with a thud, but, at that moment a voice cried out : 

^^Hey! What you boys doin’ in my orchard? Git 
out of thar 1 The idee of knockin’ off my apples ! Clear 
out now, or I’ll set the dogs after you 1” 

^Hun I” counseled Pete to his brothers. 

^^Aw, he ain’t got no dogs,” said William, but he ran 
just the same, and so did John. They flung themselves 
over the fence, and hurried across the field. 

^Tf I catch you fellers in here ag’in I’ll have ye 
arrested!” cried the angry Mr. Bogard, as he reached 
the fence, and, leaning over it, shook his fist at the boys. 
^^The idee of knockin’ off my best apples ! I’ll have 
th’ law on ye, that’s what I’ll do. I know ye! You’re 
th’ Smith boys, from Freeport. Clear out now, an’ 
don’t let me catch ye around here ag’in ! The 
idee!” 

The boys ran on in silence. Presently, finding them- 
selves safe from pursuit, they slackened their pace. 

f^Who’d a’ thought he was around ?” asked Pete, as if 
Mr. Bogard had no right to be in his own orchard. 

^^He caught us all right,” observed John, selecting 


A Bottle of Paregoric 69 

another apple from his pocket, and beginning to eat the 
juicy fruit. 

^^He’s making a lot of fuss about a few apples,” spoke 
William. 

“Well, Bill, I think we’ve got about half a peck 
between us,” remarked Pete. “I didn’t think we took 
so many.” 

“He’ll never miss ’em. Sawed-off,” retorted his 
brother. 

“I s’pose he’ll tell dad,” said John with a sigh. “We 
seem to be getting in lots of trouble lately.” 

“Don’t worry. Cap,” said Pete. “We had some fun, 
and we got some apples.” 

“But we haven’t got that robber yet,” put in William, 
recurring to the theft of his father’s money. 

“jSTo, and I don’t believe we ever will,” added John. 
“Dad seems to be worrying more than ever about 
it.” 

“I guess you would, too,” observed Pete. ^^Say, here 
comes Doc Lutken.” 

“And Bateye,” added William. “Hey there!” he 
called and the other two lads looked up. Seeing their 
chums they walked toward them. 

“Where’d you git the apples ?” asked Doc. 

“Over in Bogard’s orchard. He chased us, too.” 

“That’s nothin’. Give us one.” 

Doc and Bateye were soon munching the fruit, and 
they turned back with the Smith boys, who, however, 
did not think it wise to say anything about their adven- 
ture with the hand car. 

“ What’s the matter. Bill ?” asked John, noticing, after 


Those Smith Boys 


70 

they had gone about half a mile farther, that hia 
brother had stopped eating apples. 

— I don’t feel very good/’ replied William, placing 
his hand over the region of his stomach. ^^I’ve got a 
sort — a sort of pain.” 

^^Too many apples,” remarked Doc Lutken, with some- 
what of the professional manner of his father. 

gness that’s it,” admitted William. ^^Say, I’ve got 
to sit down a while.” 

^^What’d you eat so many for?” asked John. 

didn’t eat any more than you did,” retorted 
William. 

^^Well, I haven’t got any pain.” 

^^Wait a while, and maybe you’ll have it. Wow! 
Say, it’s getting worse !” 

^^Hold on a minute, I guess I can fix you up,” said 
Doc. ^ J’ve got some pills here I took from dad’s office.” 

^J’m not going to take any pills,” objected William. 
^^How do you know but they’re poison?” 

^^There wasn’t any skull and cross bones on the bot- 
tle,” replied the doctor’s son. ^^All poisons have a skull 
on, in red ink. Besides it said these pills were good 
for pain.” 

^AVell, I’m not going to take /em,” declared the suf- 
fering lad. 

^^Here’s some paregoric, then,” said Doc, putting 
away the pills, and taking another bottle from his pocket. 
He seemed a most obliging doctor, willing to meet any 
whims of a patient. ^‘1 got this from dad’s medicine 
chest. I always carry some with me. That’s good for 
pain.” 


A Bottle of Paregoric 71 

^^Sure, that’s good/’ added Pete. ^^We used to take it, 
Bill.” 

William was still a trifle doubtful. 

^Tet’s smell of it,” he said faintly. 

He took a few whiffs from the bottle. 

^^That’s paregoric all right,” he said. 

^^Of course it is,” declared Doc. ^^Think I don’t 
know ? It’ll stop the pain. 

^^Sure, take it,” advised Bateye Jones, scjuinting in 
the strong sunlight. 

^Ho on,” added John. 

The majority of opinion seeming to be in favor of 
him taking the medicine, William raised the bottle to 
his lips, and swallowed a liberal dose. 

^‘There,” said Doc with a wise air. ^^That’ll make 
you feel better. Guess I’ll take some myself. I ate 
quite a few apples.” 

He took a small quantity. 

^Tass her over,” said Bateye. ^T’ll have some, too.” 

‘^Same here,” added Pete, and then John decided he 
would ward off any possible bad effects of the apples, 
by taking some himself. 

^Teel any better ?” asked Doc of William. 

little,” admitted the sufferer. ^^Guess I’d better 
have some more of that stuff, though.” 

The amateur physician administered some, and, after 
resting in the shade of some big elm trees for half an 
hour, the patient decided he was sufficiently recovered 
to walk. 

‘^That’s good stuff, all right. Doc,” he said gratefully, 
^H’m going to carry some with me after this,” 


72 


Those Smith Boys 


get you some,” generously volunteered the phy- 
sician’s son. ^^Dad has a lot of it. I’ve got some court 
plaster, too,” he added. any of you get cut now, I 
can fix you up.” 

^^You’re a regular walking drug store,” commented 
Pete. ^^We came near having a use for some of your 
sticking plaster a while ago. We were on a ” 

He stopped suddenly, on the verge of saying some- 
thing about the hand car incident. 

^^Well, what ?” asked Doc, while Bateye looked squint- 
ingiy at the Smith boys. 

^^Hothing,” replied Pete. ^^There goes a rabbit!” he 
suddenly cried, as the furry creature bounded through 
the tall grass. ^^Let’s chase him! If we only had 
Waggles here now, but I s’pose he’s after a cat,” and 
he led in the pursuit of the frightened rabbit. 


CHAPTER X 


AIT IITDIGITATIOIT MEETHTG 

The letter which Mr. Stanton, the head surveyor of 
the Green V alley railroad caused to written to the Eree- 
port Board of Trade, was received by Simeon Dent, pres- 
ident of that organization, the day after the hand car 
incident. Mr. Dent was very much astonished to get 
it, and he was very angry when he read that the cause 
of the railroad not coming to Freeport was the conduct 
of the Smith boys. 

^T^ll go see Mr. Smith right away,” he decided. ^^Then 
Idl call a meeting. Then we^ll see if we can’t induce 
Mr. Stanton to change his mind. The idea! Those 
Smith boys are getting worse and worse every year for 
mischief! I wish they’d move away. Yet Mr. Smith 
is a nice man, and we all like him.” 

Mr. Dent lost no time in calling on Mr. Smith. Some- 
thing in his manner made the father of our three heroes 
a bit apprehensive, and it was with a somewhat worried 
air that he noted the progress of the president of the 
Board of Trade, up the aisle of the store, over which 
Mr. Smith was then presiding. 

^T’ve come on an unpleasant errand, Mr. Smith,” said 
Simeon Dent. 

— er — hope it’s not about the money I owe you,” 


74 Those Smith Boys 

said Mr. Smith. “As you know I’ve had a heavy loss, 
and ’’ 

not about tbe money,” said Mr. Dent, ^^though 
of course I shall have to have that soon. However, we 
can talk of that later. This time I came to see you 
about your boys.” 

^^Have they — have they been getting into trouble 
again ?” asked Mr. Smith. 

^^Yes, they have, and serious trouble, too.” 

hope none of them is hurt !” exclaimed their father. 

^^Ho, they^re not hurt,” went on Mr. Dent severely, 
^^but the town has been hurt by their conduct, xind very 
seriously hurt, too.” 

afraid I don’t exactly understand. You see I’ve 

been very much upset over that robbery, and ” 

appreciate that. If you’ll read tliat letter it will 
tell you all about it. It is a very serious matter.” 

Mr. Smith read the surveyor’s account of the runaway 
hand car and the damage it had caused. Then he came 
to the part accusing the Smith boys of being responsi- 
ble, and the conclusion that was arrived at ; namely, that 
the railroad would not come to Freeport, but would 
go to Vandalia. 

^Well?” asked Mr. Dent, as Mr. Smith folded up 
the letter, and handed it back to him. 

^^Well,” remarked Mr. Smith with a sigh. ^^It’s too 
bad ! But are you sure my boys are to blame ? They 
never said anything to me about it.” 

^‘They hardly would, unless you asked them,” replied 
the president of the Board of Trade. ^^Still, the letter 
must be true. I know the accident happened, for I 


An Indignation Meeting 75 

Heard of it at the post office last night, though no one 
then knew who had caused it. The question is, what’s 
to he done 

course,” assented Mr. Smith. ^^What’s to be 

done ?” 

^‘We want that railroad to come here,” proceeded Mr. 
Dent. ^^But it looks now as if it would not. Your boys 
are responsible. They ought to be punished.” 

^^And if they did what this letter says they did, they 
shall be,” declared their father. ^^But that won’t get 
us the railroad. I am as anxious for it to come here, as 
is any other citizen. It would help to make up for the 
loss of my three thousand dollars. Why don’t you call 
a meeting, and see what can be done ?” 

‘^That’s what I’m going to do. But I thought I’d tell 
you about your boys, first.” 

am glad you did. I shall speak to them about it — 
Ah, here they come now. If you will wait here a few 
minutes, Mr. Dent, I’ll find out all about it.” 

The three brothers entered their father’s store, but, 
seeing him talking with Mr. Dent, they started to go out. 

^^Come here, boys,” called Mr. Smith. 

^^Trouble’s coming,” remarked William, in a low 
voice. can tell by the way he speaks.” 

^^What about this ?” asked Mr. Smith, handing John 
the latter. 

As soon as John had read a little way he knew what 
it was. But he finished the missive. 

^^Well ?” asked his father. 

^AVe — we started the hand car,” he admitted. ^AVe 
just wanted a little ride. We didn’t know it would go 


Those Smith Boys 


76 

out on the main line, and down the grade. We couldn’t 
stop it. We didn’t know it did all that damage.” 

^‘1^0, and I don’t suppose you knew that it would he 
the means of keeping the railroad away from Freeport; 
did you ?” asked Mr. Dent. 

'^iN'o,” replied John. 

'^It was an accident,” put in Pete. 

*^We didn’t mean to,” added William. 

^^That’s what you always say,” exclaimed his father. 
^Dh, hoys ! why do you do these things ?” 

^^We didn’t mean any harm,” went on Pete, for he 
and his brothers were somewhat alarmed by their 
father’s manner. 

^^ITo, that’s the same story you always tell. The trou- 
ble is you don’t think ! You don’t look ahead !” 

^^Even if we had,” said William innocently, 
couldn’t have seen the water tank.” 

^That’s not it,” went on Mr. Smith. mean that 
you don’t consider what wdll be the result of your 
pranks, l^ow this is a very serious matter.” 

should say it was!” chimed in Mr. Dent indig- 
nantly. ^Tt means the ruin of our town if the railroad 
goes to Vandalia.” 

^‘Can’t you get ’em to come here ?” asked John. We’ll 
never do such a thing again. You see it happened before 
we knew it. The hand car got going and we couldn’t 
stop it.” 

^^Mr. Stanton won’t accept that excuse,” said Mr. 
Dent. don’t believe w^e can make him change his 
mind, though I’ll call a meeting of the Board of Trade, 
and we’ll make them an offer of free land for their 


An Indignation Meeting 77 

depot and a freight station, if I can get the members to 
agree to it. I must he going now.” 

am sorry to have to admit that my hoys are to 
blame for this trouble,” said Mr. Smith. shall pun- 
ish them, and you can depend upon me to do my share 
in trying to get the railroad here.” 

^^Very well,” replied Mr. Dent, a bit stiffly, as he 
went out. 

Dor some minutes Mr. Smith said nothing to his 
three sons. He knew they were not bad boys, being 
merely thoughtless, and he was considering how he could 
best punish them for wfflat they had done. He was so 
worried over the loss of his money, and other business 
troubles that he hardly knew what to do. As for the 
three brothers, they were very uneasy. They had no 
idea that their prank would result so seriously. 

^^Boys,” said Mr. Smith at length, don’t know what 
to say to you. This is the worst trouble you have ever 
been in, and I am very sorry to hear of it.” 

^AVe didn’t mean ” began William, but his father 

stopped him with a gesture. 

^^There is no use saying that again,” he remarked, 
think you had better go home, and remain in the 
house the rest of the day. That will keep you out of 
mischief, at any rate. By that time I may have thought 
of some means for punishing you, that will impress 
upon you that you must be more careful in the future. 
You are too big to whip. I must try other means. How 
you may go.” 

wish we’d let that old hand car alone,” said Pete, 
when he and his brothers were outside. 


78 Those Smith Boys 

late to wish that now/’ spoke William. won- 
der what he’ll do to us ?” 

^^Hard to saj,” added John. ^^We deserve all we’ll 
get, however. I wish I’d seen that smash, though.” 

^^So do I,” added his brothers, and William remarked : 
^ Jt must have been a peach !” 

Mr. Dent called a meeting of the Board of Trade for 
that night. He explained the object of it, and read 
the letter from the surveyor. Several citizens and mer- 
chants had heard about it before, but this did not lessen 
their anger. 

^^Those Smith boys ought to be driven out of town !” 
exclaimed Mr. Wright, who kept a feed store. 

^W^es, that’s right,” declared Mr. Henderson, who was 
the proprietor of a shoe store. ^^They’ve practically 
ruined the place.” 

^^They’re always up to some mischief,” added Mr. 
Blanchard, owner of a grocery. 

^^Well, of course they’ve gotten into quite some trou- 
ble this time,” admitted Mr. Flint, who was a retired 
merchant, ^Fut I guess they’re no worse than the gen- 
eral run of boys. Maybe things aren’t so bad as they 
seem.” 

^^They’re bad enough,” declared Chairman Dent. ^Tf 
the railroad doesn’t come here, we might as well go out 
of business.” 

^^Or move to Yandalia,” suggested some one in the 
rear of the meeting hall. 

^That’s right,” added several. 

^^Those Smith boys ought to have coats of tar and 
feathers!” shouted a hot-headed man. ^T’ll form one 


An Indignation Meeting 79 

of a committee to put ’em on , too,” he continued 
excitedly. 

help,” put in another. 

^^K’ow, now, gentlemen,” said Mr. Flint calmly. 
^^This sort of talk isn’t going to help matters any. We 
should go at this in a business sort of way. The hoys 
certainly did a lot of mischief, but I don’t suppose they 
meant to.” 

^^That’s what they said,” murmured Mr. Dent. 

^^Therefore I propose,” went on Mr. Flint, ^That we 
form a committee, to wait on Mr. Stanton, the engineer 
in charge of the work, and see if we can get him to 
change his mind. We might be able to offer more 
inducements than Vandalia can.” 

^That’s the way to talk,” came from several cooler 
headed ones. 

^^Tar and feathers would teach the boys a lesson,” 
insisted the man who had first proposed this. ^^Let’s do 
that, and then form the committee later.” 

^^Good idea,” chimed in his supporters. 

There were cries of ^Wes,” mingling with those of 
and Mr. Dent vainly banged his gavel in an effort 
to bring about order. 

move that the committee be named to see Mr. Stan- 
ton to-morrow,” shouted Mr. Flint. 

Some one seconded it, and Mr. Dent tried to put 
the question. 

^Those Smith boys ought to be punished,” called a 
man near the rear door. 

think they will be,” said Mr. Dent, who was afraid. 


8o 


Those Smith Boys 


that something rash might be done. ^Their father 
promised me he would attend to them.’’ 

^^He ought to attend to them with a birch switch,” 
murmured the man who was in favor of tar and feathers. 
^^If I find my boys playing with those Smith lads I’ll 
put a stop to it.” 

^^So will I,” added one or two. 

^^ISTow the question is about this committee,” called 
Mr. Dent, and having at last succeeded in getting quiet, 
he put the motion, which was carried unanimously. 
One or two, however, wanted to pass another motion, 
calling for censure of the boys, but it was decided that 
this would hardly be a dignified proceeding for the 
Board of Trade, and it was felt that Mr. Smith could 
best attend to his sons. 

^^And now we’ll do our best to get the railroad here,” 
said Mr. Plint, as the meeting adjourned. 

^^Say,” remarked Spider Langdon, who, with Bean- 
toe Pudder, and some other lads, had attended the meet- 
ing, keeping out of sight, however, in the gallery, 
know what we’ll do.” 

^AVhat?” asked Beantoe. 

^AVe’ll scare the life out of the Smith boys.” 

^^How?” 

^Tell ’em the Board of Trade has decided to tar and 
feather ’em, and ride ’em out of town on a rail !” 

^^They won’t believe you if you tell ’em.” 

^^Maybe not,” admitted Spider, with a cunning 
leer. ^‘But I know how to make ’em.” 

^^How?” 


An Indignation Meeting 8l 

tell Doc Liitken, and he’ll take word to ’em. 
Doc’s a chum of theirs.” 

^^Good idea/’ agreed Beantoe. ^^Doc wasn’t at the 
meeting. Let’s find him. He’s probably down around 
the post office. Gee ! maybe those Smith boys won’t be 
scared !” 

The two plotters found Doc a little later. Heither 
he nor any of his chums had attended the session. 

^Hay, Doc/’ began Spider, ^^they had a great meeting 
to-night.” 

^^Who did?” 

^^The Board of Trade. Regular indignation meet- 
ing. It ain’t over yet, but they’re going to fix the Smith 
boys all right.” 

^^What they going to do ?” asked the physician’s son, 
interested at once in anything that concerned his chums. 

^^They’re going to tar and feather ’em. Beantoe and 
I just heard ’em say so ; didn’t we, Beantoe ?” 

^^Sure,” replied his crony. 

Doc started ofi down the street. 

^^Where you going ?” asked Spider. 

^T’m going to tell John and his brothers,” called back 
the lad. ‘That’ll give ’em a chance to get away. Ho 
Board of Trade is going to tar and feather any of my 
chums if I can help it !” 


CHAPTEE XI 


THE BOYS ETJH AWAY 

^^Say,” remarked Beantoe, as he and Spider watched 
Doc hurrying up the street, ^^do you s’pose he’ll tell 
’em ?” 

^^Sure.” 

^^And what’ll they do?” 

*^Skip out, maybe. Anyway, they’ll be good and 
scared, and it’ll make up for them throwin’ us in the 
brook.” 

^^That’s right. Say, I wish we could see ’em run.” 

^^We can.” 

^^How ?” 

^^Go and hang around their house. I’ll bet they’ll 
go all right.” 

^That’s what we’ll do then. Come on Spider.” 

Beantoe started off, but stumbled over an uneven place 
in the sidewalk, and would have fallen, had not Spider 
caught him. 

‘^There you go again!” exclaimed the long legged 
youth. ^^What makes you stumble so ?” 

^^I can’t help it,” whined Beantoe. s’pose it’s 
because I’m excited.” 

^^Well, then, don’t get excited. Come on, now. And 
when you get near the Smith house, you don’t want to 
make a lot of racket.” 


The Boys Run Away 


83 

Meanwhile Doc Lutken was hurrying on. He reached 
the home of the Smith hoys, and saw that a light was 
burning in the second story, where the brothers had their 
rooms. There was no illumination below. 

^^Mr. Smith must be out, or else he’s gone to bed,” 
Doc reasoned. ‘^1 hope I’m in time to give them a good 
start. The idea of tarring and feathering ’em, just for 
letting the hand car get away. It’s a shame !” 

He cautiously approached the house. Then he gave a 
whistle like a tree toad. This he repeated thrice. 

A window went up, and John Smith stuck his head 
out. He too whistled like a tree toad, and getting an 
answer, asked: 

^^Who’s there ?” 

^Tt’s me. Cap — Doc,” was the reply. ^^Say, come on 
down.” 

^matfor ?” 

Because. I’ve got something important to tell 
you.” 

^^Can’t.” 

<^Why not?” 

^‘Dad said we weren’t to go out of the house until 
he decided what to do with us. You know — on account 
of that hand car.” 

“That’s what I’ve come about. Where’s your 
father?” 

“Down to the store.” 

“Then you’d better skip out, for a while, anyhow,” 
:went on Doc. “They’ll be here any minute.” 

“Who ?” 


Those Smith Boys 


84 

^^The committee.’’ 

‘^Wliat committee ?” 

^^The one from the Board of Trade. They’re going 
to tar and feather you for being to blame about the rail- 
road not coming here. Come down, and I’ll tell you.” 

John turned from the window, and quickly imparted 
to his brothers what Doc had said. Then the three boys 
came down to hear further particulars from Harry Lut- 
ken, who had so promptly speeded oif to warn them, as 
he supposed, from a shameful fate. 

^‘Are you joking?” asked William, as Harry began 
his story. 

^^ISTot a bit of it. Those men were fearful mad at 
you.” 

^^And are they coming here ?” asked Pete. 

^‘That’s what. Sawed-off. Spider Langdon slipped 
out to tell me.” 

^Tt’s queer Spider would take that trouble on our 
account. Doc,” observed John suspiciously. 

^^Oh, I guess he didn’t tell me out of any regard for 
you. He couldn’t keep the news to himself.” 

^AVhat had we better do?” asked Pete, in some 
alarm. 

^^Skip out,” advised Harry. ^^Stay away for a few 
days, until it all blows over.” 

guess we’d better,” said William. 

^^Hark !” exclaimed Doc suddenly. 

The sound of men’s voices could be heard, and the 
tramp of several feet echoed on the sidewalk. 

^^Here’s where they live,” the boys, in the shadow of 
the porch, heard some one say. 


The Boys Run Away 


85 

^Tliere they are/’ whispered Doc. ^^You’re too late !” 
we can slip out the hack way/’ said William. 
^^Only I want to get some money and grub.” 

this the house ?” asked another of the men. 

^^Yes, right here.” 

Though the boys did not know it, the speakers were 
only some of the cooler headed members of the Board 
of Trade returning from the meeting, and, in discussing 
what had taken place, they happened to speak casually 
of the Smith boys, as they got in front of their house. 
But of course the lads thought the voices could be only 
those of the tar and feathering committee, coming to 
wreak vengeance upon them. 

^^Don’t lose any time,” advised Doc. ^YVhere will 
you go ?” 

^‘We’ll hide in the woods back of the railroad camp,” 
decided John in a whisper. ^^Sneak out and tell us 
how things are going, if you get a chance.” 

will. Don’t say I warned you. Dad belongs to the 
Board of Trade, though he wasn’t there to-night. I’ll 
sneak off now. Those men must be planning to rush 
in. They aren’t saying anything.” 

Good reason, for the men had passed on, all uncon- 
scious of what import their words had conveyed to the 
lads. 

Doc hurried off into the darkness, and the three boys, 
having cautiously made their way into the house, stood 
for a moment to consider their plans. 

^T’ve got about a dollar,” whispered William. 

^T’m dead broke,” said Pete, which was his usual 
condition. 


86 


Those Smith Boys 


^^IVe got about three bones/’ added John. ^^That 
will last a little while. Lucky it’s warm. We can sleep 
in the woods. It won’t be the first time we’ve been 
cami)ing.” 

^^Hurry up/’ advised William. ^^Let’s get some grub 
from the pantry and skip out. It’s a good thing Doc 
told us.” 

^ Jt sure is/’ agreed his brothers. 

Moving cautiously about, so as not to awaken the 
housekeeper, the lads went to the pantry and got what 
victuals they could find by the light of several matches. 
Then, expecting every moment to hear a thundering 
summons on the front door, and a demand that they 
surrender, and submit to the ordeal of the tar and feath- 
ers, they crept down the back stairs, and stood for a 
moment on the rear stoop. 

^‘What’ll dad say?” inquired John, a trifle sadly, 
guess he’ll understand,” answered Pete. ‘^Come 

on.” 

They descended the steps, crossed the yard, crouch- 
ing down to get below the shadow of the fence, so that 
no spying eyes might see them, and were soon in the 
open fields. Pete stepped into a hole and pitched for- 
ward, dropping his bundle of food. 

^^Easy!” cautioned John, in a hoarse whisper. ^^Do 
you want them to hear us ?” 

couldn’t help it,” said his brother. ^^Say, it’s get- 
ting cooler, and I believe it’s going to rain. It’ll be no 
fun sleeping in the woods in the wet.” 

‘Tt’s better than being tarred and feathered,” replied 


The Boys Run Away 87 

William grimly. ^^Come on. I think I hear them 
after us.” 

The excited imaginations of the boys might have 
made them hear almost anything, and so they hurried 
on, running away from home for the first time in their 
lives. 

^^And to think of our nice, comfortable beds,” 
remarked Pete, as he paused to look back at the house, 
the distant light of which could be seen. ^‘Good warm 
beds there, and weVe got to sleep in the wet woods.” 

^^Cut it out!” advised John sharply. ^AYe arenT 
doing this for fun.” 

should say not!” exclaimed William very posi- 
tively. wish I’d never seen a hand car !” 

Spider and Beantoe, hiding in the bushes near the 
Smith house, saw the three brothers depart. 

^^The trick worked,” said Spider. ^^They’re leaving !” 

^^They sure are,” admitted Beantoe. ^AVhen they 
find out no one is after them w^on’t they feel cheap !” 

^^Let’s scare ’em some more,” suggested Spider. 

^^w?” 

^G’ll show you.” 

Kaising his head, he cried out in a high, shrill, unnat- 
ural voice: 

^There they go! There they are! Eight in that 
field!” 

The Smith boys heard and shivered. 

‘^They’re coming!” exclaimed Pete. ^^Let’s run!” 

And run they did, through the darkness, toward the 
friendly cover of the woods. 

^Tt’s raining!” suddenly exclaimed William. 


88 Those Smith Boys 

‘^Come on/’ called Pete, wlio was in tlie lead. 
Chuckling to themselves at the success of their joke, 
Spider and Beantoe crawled from their hiding place, 
and started back toward the village, while the Smith 
boys kept on through the rain and darkness. 


CHAPTER XII 


AN UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH 

Remaining quite late at his store that night, going 
over some accounts, and trying to see a way out of the 
trouble caused hy the robbery, Mr. Smith did not get 
home until after one o’clock in the morning. He was 
much worried over financial matters, and had given up 
all hope of ever seeing his money again. That meant 
that he would have to make important changes in his 
affairs. 

^T’m afraid I shan’t sleep much to-night,” he thought 
as he let himself into the house with his latch key. 
never had so much to worry about business as I have 
now, and then there is the conduct of my boys. They 
are good lads, but they are too thoughtless. I wish 
their mother had lived. Maybe it would have made a 
difference. Still, perhaps they will outgrow their mis- 
chievous tricks.” 

He entered the house quietly, so as not to awaken the 
housekeeper or the boys, whom he supposed sleeping in 
their rooms. In his apartment Mr. Smith sat down on 
a chair, and began going over again, in his mind, the 
various points of his business. 

must try and forget it for a while,” he said with 
a sigh. ^^Otherwise I shall never get to sleep. I won- 


90 


Those Smith Boys 


der what they did at the Board of Trade meeting? I 
wish I had had a chance to go. I hope they didn’t 
blame my boys too much. I wonder what I shall do to 
punish them ? It’s quite a problem.” 

And, puzzling over this, and many other troublesome 
matters, Mr. Smith fell into an uneasy slumber. 

^^Aren’t the boys up yet, Mrs. Murdock ?” Mr. Smith 
asked the housekeeper, as he came dovm to breakfast, 
rather later than usual the next morning. 

sir, and I haven’t heard them about. They sel- 
dom sleep as late as this.” 

^^That’s queer,” murmured Mr. Smith. Going to the 
foot of the stairs he called : 

^Mohn! William! Peter! Come, it’s breakfast 
time.” 

There was no answer. 

wonder if they can be sulking,” he said, ^^because 
I made them stay in ? They never did that before, for 
they’re manly lads. Guess I’ll go and have a talk with 
them.” 

He was much surprised when, looking in one room 
after another, he saw no signs of his sons, and noticed 
that their beds had not been slept in. 

^Alrs. Murdock!” he called. ^^Did you see the boys 
go out ?” 

^Hoout? Ho, sir. When?” 

^^At any time since yesterday afternoon.” 

‘^Ho. Aren’t they up stairs?” 

“Ho, and their beds aren’t disturbed.” 

The housekeeper, alarmed by the tone of Mr. Smith’s 
yoice, hurried up stairs. 


An Unsuccessful Search 91 

^^That’s very strange/’ she remarked, when she saw 
the empty rooms. ^^They must have run away.” 

‘^Eim away ? Why should they ?” 

^^Well, on account of worrying over that hand car 
accident/’ answered Mrs. Murdock, for she had heard 
about that affair. 

^^jN’onsense,” said Mr. Smith. ^‘They would have no 
occasion to run away for that. Nor need they have 
feared any punishment I would have inflicted. Still, it 
dogs look as if they had left on that account. When did 
you last see them?” 

^^Kight after supper. They went to their rooms, and 
W’hen I got through with my work I went to bed. I 
heard the boys moving around, and then I fell asleep.” 

^^Strange,” murmured Mr. Smith. can’t under- 
stand it. I must ask some of their chums if they have 
seen them. Who are the boys they go with mostly ?” 

^^Well, there’s Dr. Lutken’s boy, and the widow 
Jones’s son, and a boy they call Norton.” 

^^Yes, I know him. Norton Tonkin. Mr. Tonkin’s 
house is on my way to the village. I’ll stop and ask 
him.” 

Mr. Smith made a hurried breakfast, and started out. 
His inquiries of Norton Tonkin resulted in nothing^ as 
that lad had not seen his chums in several days. 

^^Maybe Bateye knows where they went,” he said. 

^^Bateye ?” repeated Mr. Smith, in some surprise. 

^^Yes, Bateye J ones.” 

^^Oh, you mean the widow Jones’s son.” 

^^Sure.” 

^T’ll ask him/’ went on Mr. Smithy but the lad who 


92 


Those Smith Boys 

was credited with being able to see in the dark, knew 
nothing of John and his brothers. 

^^Doc Lutken might know/’ he volunteered. 

don’t believe the doctor will ” began Mr. 

Smith. 

mean his boy — young Doc, we call him.” 

^^Oh,” said Mr. Smith. ^^Yes, I shall ask him.” 

But Doc had gone fishing, and did not get back until 
late that afternoon. Meanwhile Mr. Smith had made 
inquiries in many directions, but all to no avail. It 
began to be rumored about town that the Smith boys 
had run away, and there were several persons who hoped 
they never would come back, though, to be fair to our 
heroes, they were no worse than half the other lads in 
town. 

But, once Mr. Smith met Harry Lutken, he knew he 
was on the right track. 

^^Do you know why my boys went away ?” he asked 
Doc. 

^^Yep.” 

^^Why?” 

don’t wanter tell.” 

^my not?” 

^^Well, they might get caught. I told ’em to skip out, 
and I don’t want to be blamed.” 

^^But why did you tell them to leave home at 
night ?” 

^^So they wouldn’t be tarred and feathered.” 

^Tarred and feathered?” Mr. Smith was greatly 
surprised. He questioned Harry, and, gradually, the 
lad told of Spider’s warning. Mr. Smith, who had 


An Unsuccessful Search 


93 


heard of what took place at the meeting of the Board of 
Trade, including the hot-headed suggestions of the vin- 
dictive man, understood what had happened, and knew 
why his sons had run away. 

^^Why do you suppose Spider, as you call him, told 
you such things he asked Doc, who was surprised to 
learn there was no real basis for the threat the long 
legged youth had told of. 

^^He must have a grudge against us fellows. But wait 
until I catch him. Idl punch his nose for him, good 
and proper.’’ 

^^And where were you to meet my hoys ?” went on Mr. 
Smith. 

^Tn the woods, near the railroad camp. There’s a 
cave there, where we sometimes stay.” 

Would you mind taking me there ?” 

^^Sure not. Only it’ll be dark when we get there.” 

^^That doesn’t matter. I must find my boys. They 
may be hungry, or something may have happened to 
them.” 

‘^They were going to take some grub along, so I guess 
they won’t be hungry,” volunteered Harry. ^^Wait until 
I put my fishpole away, and I’ll go with you. We’ll 
stop and get Bateye, too. He can see in the dark.” 

^Wery well,” assented Mr. Smith, and soon the three 
were on their way to the woods. 

^Alaybe we’d better stop and make some inquiries of 
the railroad men,” suggested Mr. Smith. 

don’t believe they’d like it,” said Harry. 

^AVhy not?” 

^^Well, you know the hand car — — ” 


94 


Those Smith Boys 


^^Oh, that won’t matter. Besides, I wish to apologize 
to Mr. Stanton, for any trouble my boys may have 
caused him, however unintentional it was.” 

The two lads were a little doubtful of this procedure, 
but they need not have been alarmed. Mr. Stanton, and 
several of his men had left the camp, to attend to another 
part of the construction work, and Mr. Carboy, who gave 
Mr. Smith this information, made no unpleasant refer- 
ences to our heroes’ prank. 

^^!N’o, we haven’t seen them around here,” he said. 
know the boys. They don’t bother me any. Boys wdll 
be boys. By the way, did you ever hear anything more 
of that robber ?” 

‘^No, nor the money either.” 

^^Too bad. Well, Mr. Smith, if I see anything of 
your lads I’ll tell them you were looking for them, and 
that they can come home, with nothing to fear.” 
wish you would.” 

It was getting dark when the searchers left the rail- 
road camp, and gangs of Italian laborers were gather- 
ing about camp fires, w^here they were smoking their 
after-supper pipes, and discussing matters in their rapid 
jargon. 

^^How do you get to that cave ?” asked Mr. Smith, as 
he and the boys started into the woods. 

^T’ll show you,” volunteered Bateye. ^Tt’s not far.” 

Once in the forest the seekers called the names of the 
three missing lads. But the echoes were their only 
replies. 

^^Here’s the cave,” suddenly exclaimed Bateye. 

^Ts there any one in it?” asked Mr. Smith eagerly. 


An Unsuccessful Search 


95 

^^Doesn’t seem to be/’ replied the lad with the sharp 
sight, as he peered about in the black interior. 

^^John! William! Are you here?” called their 
father. 

His voice reverberated through the cavern. 

Harry Lutken struck a match. As it flared up the 
three looked eagerly about them. They saw only the 
black, rocky walls of the cave. 

Suddenly Bateye uttered a cry, and sprang forward. 

^^Here’s John’s knife!” he said. know it, ’cause 
it’s got a piece broken from the handle !” 

^^That’s right,” agreed his chum. 

^Then the boys have been here,” said Mr. Smith. 

^^That’s what,” said Windsor Jones. thought 

they’d come here. But they’re not here now.” 

Mr. Smith looked about the cave, as the match died 
out. Then he, too, uttered a cry, and picked up some- 
thing from the floor of the cavern. 

^^Here is a note book, stolen from my desk when the 
three thousand dollars was taken !” he cried. ‘^The rob- 
ber must have been here, when my boys were. Maybe 
they had a flght, and he has injured them ! Harry, will 
you run back to the railroad camp, and ask Mr. Carboy 
and some of his men to come here? Ask him to fetch 
some torches. Maybe we can get on the track of the 
thief!” 


CHAPTER XIII 


m THE CAVE 

this is fierce!’^ exclaimed William, as he and 
his two brothers plodded on, stumbling in the darkness. 

s going to be a peach of a night to stay out in the 
woods.” 

^^Well, we can’t help it,” observed John. ^Turn up 
your coat collar.” 

^^Humph! That won’t stop it raining. I’m soaked 
through now.” 

^^So’m I,” added Pete. ^^And these sandwiches are 
running all over. The bread’s all off the meat. Why 
didn’t you cut the bread thicker, John, while you were 
at it?” 

^Hecause I didn’t have time. Save the meat, any- 
how. We have given those tar and feather fellows the 
slip, however. I’ll bet they’re hopping mad because 
we got away.” 

‘^Do you s’pose they would really have put tar and 
feathers on us ?” asked William. 

^^You heard what Doc said,” replied John. ^^They 
must have been pretty mad at us, and it wasn’t our fault 
at all.” 

^^Of course not,” said Pete. ^^Say, but it certainly is 
raining !” 

There was no doubt about it. The storm had quickly 


In the Cave 


97 

developed and now, with a deluge of rain, and a cold 
wind it made matters anything but pleasant for the 
runaway lads. On they stumbled through the darkness, 
over the fields, finally getting on the road that led to the 
construction camp. 

^^We’d better not' go too near,” cautioned John. ^^If 
Stanton or any of his men see us, they might have us 
arrested.” 

‘^Hu ! If anybody can see in this darkness theyVe 
pretty good at it,” observed Pete. ^^Even Bateye Jones 
would have his troubles. But what are we going to 
do ? We can’t go on this way all night. I’m getting 
tired. Can’t we slack up a bit ? I don’t believe they’ll 
catch us now.” 

They had been going at a rapid pace, regardless of 
anything save to put as much distance as possible 
between themselves and their supposed pursuers. 

^^Yes, I gu0ss we can take it easy,” assented John. 
^^Say fellows, what’s the matter with spending the night 
in the cave ?” 

^^Good idea!” commented William. ^Tt’ll be dry 
there, and we can eat something. I’m as hungry as a 
dog. We can build a fire, too, and get warm.” 

This prospect cheered them, and they felt better as 
they skirted along the edge of the railroad construction 
camp, and struck off into the woods, by a path which 
they well knew, and which they managed even to find, 
despite the storm and darkness. It led to the cave, a 
natural cavern which the boys, for a few miles around, 
used as a shelter in case of storms coming up when they 
were in the woods hunting. 


Those Smith Boys 


98 

William, who had gone on ahead, came to a sudden 
halt when a short distance from the cave. 

^^Hark he exclaimed in a whisper, that brought his 
brothers to an instant halt. ^^There’s some one in the 
bushes there, fellows.’’ 

Above the noise made by the pattering rain drops, and 
the sighing of the wind in the trees, could he heard the 
swishing of underbrush. The boys felt their hearts 
beginning to beat more rapidly, and there were choking 
sensations in their throats. 

^^Strike a match!” exclaimed William, still in that 
nerve-thrilling whisper. 

John tried to, but his fire sticks had become wet, and 
only a phosphorous glow resulted. 

'T can’t get a light,” he called in a low voice. 

‘AVait a minute. IVe got some in a box,” said Pete. 
^^Here, take this grub,” and he passed to John a bundle 
of food. 

In the glow of fire that came from Pete’s efforts the 
three lads saw suddenly leaping out from the darkness of 
the bushes two balls of reddish-green. 

^^An animal 1” exclaimed William. ^^Look out 
fellows 1” 

He sprang back, colliding with Pete, who was close 
beside him, and Pete, in turn, knocked over John, just 
as when one brick in a row starts to topple over, all the 
rest follow. Down the three went, into the dripping 
underbrush. 

There was a movement on the part of the animal. It 
sprang toward the prostrate boys. William, who felt a 
hairy body brush across his face, uttered a scream. 


In the Cave 


99 


A moment later there came a joyous bark, and some- 
thing began licking the hands and faces of Pete and 
John in turn. 

^AVaggles! Ifs Waggles P’ cried John, as he man- 
aged to get to his feet. ‘‘The old dog has found us.^’ 

“Or we’ve found him,” said Pete. “He’s been out 
here in these woods I guess, for a couple of days, hunt- 
ing rabbits.” 

“Gee ! But he certainly gave me a scare !” exclaimed 
William. “I thought it was a wolf.” 

“There ain’t any wolves around here,” said John, in 
contempt. 

“You never can tell — in the dark,” was William’s 
opinion. “Here, Waggles, old boy; how are you?” 

The dog frisked about his three owners bestowing 
affectionate thumps of his tail first on one and then 
on another. 

“I’m glad we found him,” observed John. 

“Yes, it won’t be so lonesome — now,” added Pete. 
“He reminds me of home.” 

The mention of home seemed to strike a sad, respon- 
sive chord in the hearts of his brothers. 

“I wonder how long we’ll have to stay away ?” asked 
William. 

“Oh, until they get over being mad at us,” replied 
John. 

“S’posin’ they don’t ?” asked William. 

“Well then — but what’s the use talking that way?” 
inquired John fretfully. “Say, if we’re going to that 
cave we’d better get a move on! It’s raining harder 
than ever.” 


100 Those Smith Boys 

isn^t far now/’ remarked Pete. ^^Come on, 

Waggles.” 

They started forward again, and, in a little while 
came to the entrance of the cavern. In they went, their 
dog following them, for he had often been there before. 

^^Oh, but it feels good to get out of that rain,” 
observed Pete. ^^Let’s make a fire, now. I left some 
wood here the last time I came. It ought to be here 
yet.” 

^^Strike a match ’till we see,” suggested John, and 
when the little flame flickered up, they saw a pile of 
tree branches. 

They soon had a little blaze kindled, and gathered 
about its grateful warmth. Waggles stretching out on 
the side, to dry his dripping, shaggy coat. 

^^Make a good fire,” directed John, ^^and we’ll have 
something to eat. If we’d only had time we could have 
brought along a lot of grub, and a coflee pot. Then 
we could have camped for fair. But now we’ll have to 
do the best we can.” 

The fire was made larger, and the boys, taking off 
their wet coats, spread them out to dry. Then they 
opened the packages of food. It was but sorry stuff, for 
the rain had soaked it, but they were too hungry to be 
particular. The bread, soppy as it was, and the cold 
meat tasted to them better than the finest dinner they 
had ever had. 

'^Give Waggles some,’' suggested Pete. ^‘He’s 
hungry.” 

The dog was casting expectant eyes, first on one and 
then on the other of his three ung masters. 


In the Cave 


101 


^^Give him some yourself, you’ve got more than we 
have,” said William, and Pete tossed the animal a bit 
of meat, which vanished in an instant. 

^'Guess he didn’t have any luck hunting,” observed 
John. ^^i!^ever mind, we’ll get you something to-morrow. 
Waggles.” 

^^Say, this isn’t so bad,” remarked Pete, a little later, 
as, having finished the last of his bread and meat, he 
held out his hands to the blaze. ‘G’m feeling pretty 
good, now.” 

Outside the cave, near the entrance to which they 
were, could be heard the patter of the rain, and the 
moaning of the wind in the forest. 

^Gt might be worse,” said John. ^^What worries me, 
though is what we’re going to do to-morrow.” 

^^Oh, we’ll find something,” ventured William. ^^It’s 
warm weather, and the summer isn’t half gone yet. We 
can tramp around, and, maybe, get work at something. 
We could earn enough to live on, anyhow.” 

^^Sure,” added Pete. ^Tarmers would hire us. Or 
we might get a job on the railroad.” 

• ^^ISTot if they knew us, after what we did,” said Johit. 

^^Oh, well, we could go down the line two or three 
miles. Our name is so common, that whoever hired us 
would never remember about the hand car.” 

^They might,” was John’s opinion. ^^But we’ll talk 
about it in the morning. I’m getting sleepy.” 

^^So am I,” admitted Pete, and William’s position, 
stretched out as he was on the clean sand of the cave, 
indicated that he, too, could slumber. 

^Tile on some more wood, and we’ll take a snooze,” 


102 


Those Smith Boys 


suggested John, and Pete did so. Waggles was already 
asleep, all his dog troubles forgotten for the time being. 

How long William slept he could not tell, but he was 
suddenly awakened by a growl from Waggles. The boy 
sat up, and, glancing at the dog, saw him standing ready 
for a spring, his ears cocked forward, and a ridge of 
hair raised along his spine. 

William stared toward the mouth of the cavern, but 
the fire had died down, and he could see nothing. The 
dog, however, had better eyesight, or his other senses 
told him something was there. 

There was a slight movement, as if some one was 
entering the cave, and William felt an uneasy sense 
that some one was staring at him — some one with evil 
eyes. He reached over and nudged John with his 
foot. 

At that instant a brand in the fire broke, sending up 
a shower of sparks, and a little blaze. In the light of it 
William looked toward the entrance to the cavern. He 
saw a man standing there — a man whose figure and 
face were vaguely familiar. 

John sat up, rubbing his eyes. 

^AVhat’s the matter — what is it he asked. 

Waggles leaped forward with a fierce growl. The 
blaze from the fire became brighter, and, in the light 
of it William saw the man raise his hand, to ward off 
the attack of the dog. 

To the boy’s surprise and horror, he noted that the 
man’s hand was without a thumb ! The dog was almost 
upon him, and William saw him turn, as if to run! 

^The robber ! The robber I” screamed the lad. 


In the Cave 


( 

103 

^^John ! Pete ! Here’s the robber ! The man without a 
thumb !” 

John leaped to his feet, and started toward the mouth 
of the cave. William followed, and Pete, awakened by 
the cries, staggered to his feet. Off in the darkness 
could be heard the shouts of the boys, the growls of the 
dog, and another sound, as of some one running through 
the bushes. 

^^Catch him. Waggles ! Grab him !” shouted William. 

The dog answered with a bark, and a savage growl. 

Then came an exclamation of pain. 

^^Waggles has him!” cried John. 

The dog’s growling and barking changed to a yelp 
of surprise and a^ony. The animal came back toward 
the cave, half rolling, half sliding. The man had given 
him a powerful kick. 

Over Waggles stumbled John and William, going 
down in a heap. Pete, rushing out of the cave, added to 
the confusion, piling on top of his brothers and the dog. 
When they managed to untangle themeslves, and start 
forward, it was only to see a blank wall of darkness 
beyond the opening of the cavern. 

^^He’s got away,” said J ohn. 

^^Let’s follow 1” cried William. 

^^Ho use in this darkness,” went on John. 'Tt’ll be 
morning, though, soon,” he added, as he looked at his 
watch by the distant gleam of the fire. ^^Then we’ll try 
to trace him. I wonder what the robber was doing 
here ?” 


CHAPTEK XIV 


MEETING THEOPHILUS CEATTEK 

Going back to the fire the bojs replenished it, and, 
as the blaze sprang np, they looked curiously at one 
another. 

^^How did it all happen?” asked John. ‘AVho saw 
him first ?” 

did,” replied William. ‘^Waggles woke me up, 
by growling, and when the fire got brighter, I saw him 
— thumbless hand and all.” 

^^Are you sure he’s the same man we met the day 
we were flying the kite,” asked Pete. 

^^Sure,” replied William. 

^Jlis thumb was certainly off, and it was his left 
hand,” added John. ^ J saw it.” 

^^Do you s’pose he came in here to find us?” ques- 
tioned Pete. 

course not. Sawed-off,” replied John. “How 
would he know we were here ? Probably he was out 
in the woods, got wet through, and knew of this cave. 
But it’s queer he should be hanging around here, after 
robbing our house.” 

“We don’t know that he robbed our house,” declared 
Pete. 

“Of course he did,” insisted John. “There’s the 
mark of his hand, without a thumb, to prove it.” 


Meeting Theophilus Clatter 105 


^^Well, there may be more than one man without a 
thumb. Look at the express thief.’’ 

^‘Yes, I know, but this one got dad’s three thousand 
dollars all right, and we’re going to get it back.” 

we catch him,” added William. don’t believe 
we will.” 

Waggles can trail him,” declared John. ^^He bit 
him, and Waggles never forgets a person he bites.” 

^‘Let’s see if he’s hurt,” suggested Pete. 

‘^Who? Waggles or the robber?” asked William. 

Waggles, of course. How are you going to find the 
thief ? Come here. Waggles !” 

The animal crept whining to the feet of the boys. 
He seemed afraid, and held up on paw, pitifully. 

^Tt’s broken!” exclaimed John, as he tenderly felt 
of the dog’s foot. ^^That fellow kicked him and broke 
it 1 Oh, wait until I get my hands on him I” 

^Hoor old Waggles,” spoke William soothingly, as he 
carefully touched the wounded paw. Even the light 
caress of the boy made the dog wince. 

^^We’ll bind it up in splints,” said Pete. ^^That will 
make the bones grow together.” 

^^Good idea,” commented John. ^^Bring me some 
pieces of wood, and I’ll whittle ’em out.” 

Then, sitting around the fire in the cave, the boys 
bandaged up the broken fore-foot of the dog, using 
splints, skillfully cut out by John, and sacrificing part 
of the lining of their coats for bandages. Waggles 
whined at times, and licked the hands of those who were 
ministering to him. It was painful, when John, as best 
he could, placed the broken bones in place to knit 


lo6 Those Smith Boys 

together, and Waggles howled pitifully, but he did not 
run away. 

Presently the rude surgery was completed, and the 
lads gazed, not without some pride, at their work. 

^^It^s a good thing a dog can go on three legs,’^ observed 
William. ^^Otherwise we might have to stay in the cave 
with him until he got well.” 

They never thought of deserting Waggles in his 
trouble. 

^^And it’s a good thing it’s a front paw, instead of 
a hind one,” added Pete. ^^He can go better that way. 
I hope he bit a good, large chunk out of that scoundrel.” 

^^More likely he only grabbed him by the clothes,” 
observed John. ^^But we certainly must trail him as 
soon as it gets light. It’s stopped raining, anyhow, 
that’s one good thing.” 

‘^^^o use going to sleep again,” was William’s opinion. 
^^Let’s sit around until it’s light enough to go out. Then 
we’ll see what we can do toward breakfast.” 

^^Breakfast,” murmured Pete. ^‘Don’t mention it! 
A nice hot cup of coffee now, and some ham and 
eggs ” 

“Hit him. Bill!” called John, to his brother. “He’s 
got no right to mention such things now.” 

Their clothes were quite dry by this time, and they 
sat about the friendly fire, talking over what had just 
happened, and speculating as to the appearance of the 
man they felt sure was the robber. They could not 
understand why he should remain in the neighborhood 
of the scene of his crime. 


Meeting Theophilus Clatter 107 

^^Well, there’s no use talking any more about it,” said 
John. ^‘^The thing to do is to get after him.” 

^^Wouldn’t it he a good thing to let the police know ?” 
asked Pete. ^^They can catch him better than we can.” 

'^And give ourselves away ?” inquired John. ^^Prob- 
ahly if that Board of Trade gave up the idea of tarring 
and feathering us, the railroad people would have us 
arrested for smashing the water tank, and damaging Mr. 
Stanton’s tent.” 

^^Could they have us arrested for what we didn’t mean 
to do ?” William w^anted to know. 

^^Sure,” answered John. ^^I^o sir, we’ll keep away 
from the police, and from Freeport, for a long time yet. 
W’hen it’s blown over, we’ll come hack. But come on, 
it’s getting light now, and we can go out. Can you 
walk. Waggles?” 

The dog replied with a whine, and hobbled along on 
three legs, following the lads from the cave. ISTor did 
any of them notice that John’s knife was left behind, 
where he had whittled out the splints for the dog’s leg, 
and that, where Waggles had attacked the man without a 
thumb, there lay, on the sandy floor of the cave a little 
red note book. 

^W^hat shall we do first ?” asked J ohn, as they stood 
at the entrance of the cave, and looked out on the world, 
bathed in early morning sunlight, ^dook for traces of the 
robber, or hunt breakfast ?” 

^^Breakfast !” exclaimed his brothers in a breath, 
while Pete added: don’t believe we can get much 

trace of that fellow excepting by asking people, and we 
can do that just as well after breakfast as we can before. 


108 Those Smith Boys 

But what worries me is where are we going to get a 
meal/^ 

It was the first time that this problem had come seri- 
ously home to the lads, and it rather puzzled them. It 
had seemed much easier to consider it in the cave, by the 
warm fire, than it was in the glaring light of day. 

^^Maybe we could get grub at the railroad camp,’’ 
said William. ^The men would give us some if w^e 
asked ’em. The Italians in camp there get their own 
meals.” 

^^Yes, we’d look nice, going up there, and asking for a 
handout,” said John. ^Tirst we’d know they’d turn us 
over to a constable.” 

^^Then what are we going to do ?” asked Williat. 

^^We’ll go along until we strike a house,” decided 
John. ^^We’ve got a little money, and we can offer to 
pay for breakfast. We’re not tramps — ^not just yet.” 

^^But maybe there’s an alarm out for us,” objected 
Pete. ‘Tt’s likely that the Board of Trade knows we’ve 
skipped out, by this time, and has sent word all around 
for us to be arrested on sight. ISTo farmhouse for mine.” 

^^That’s right,” agreed William. 

John looked dubious. 

^^What’ll we do then he asked. 

^^Go along until we get farther away from Preeport,” 
suggested Pete. ^^Maybe no one will know about us 
then, and we can buy a meal.” 

^‘But — I’m getting hungry,” said John. 

^^Hu! You ain’t the only one,” observed William. 
^T’ve got a hole here big enough to put a peck measure 
in,” and he held his hand over his stomach. 


Meeting Theophilus Clatter 109 


They tramped moodily through the woods, ■until they 
came to a country road. It led to Hillsboro, a town 
about ten miles from Freeport. 

^^Might as well take this,’’ said John. ^^Come on. 
Waggles.” 

The dog limped on, with a whine. Probably he, too, 
was wondering where his breakfast was coming from. 
The dog stopped to drink from a little brook. 

^^Guess that’ll have to do for ours, at least for a while,” 
remarked John. ^^When we strike a grocery I’m going 
to buy some crackers, and cheese and herring.” 

^^Think it’ll be safe ?” asked Pete. 

‘T don’t care if it is or not! I’m not going to 
starve !” 

As they turned around a bend in the road, they saw, 
drawn up along one side of the highway, a gaily painted 
wagon. To the rear was fastened a sleek horse, which 
was cropping the grass. 

^^Gypsies I” exclaimed William. ^^They wouldn’t 
know us. Maybe we could buy some grub from them.” 

They advanced toward the gaudily decorated vehicle. 
The horse ceased eating, looked at them, and whinnied. 
A man came to the back door of the wagon, which was 
evidently used as a sort of traveling house. He 
descended the small flight of steps. 

He was a man with long, flowing black locks, through 
which could be seen the gleam of gold rings in his ears. 
He wore light trousers, a red and green striped vest, 
and, being without a coat, it could be seen that his shirt 
was red, with black polkadots splattered over it. His 
big, black, curly moustache matched his hair. 


r 


110 


Those Smith Boys 


good morning, my three soldiers of fortune!’’ 
he exclaimed in a loud voice, that, somehow, was quite 
persuasive. ^^Out to breathe the pure ozone of the early 
morning hours. ITothing like it, save my wonderful 
Peerless Permanent Pain Preventative, which is good 
for both man and beast, and eradicates all the ills that 
flesh is heir to, and some that it is not. Perchance you 
are seeking to be relieved of some noisome disease, or, 
perchance you are troubled in your mind, about for- 
tune, friends, love, home or business worries. One 
glance at your hands will demonstrate how long you 
must suffer ere you will be rewarded with happiness. 
Or, belike^ you have upon your clothing some spots 
which you have sought in vain to get rid of. If so, 
let me earnestly recommend a cake of my Kapid Robust 
Resolute Resolvent, which will take out stains on linen, 
silk, wool, cotton, velvet, calico, satin, the skin of the 
hands or face, wall paper, newspaper, writing paper or 
wrapping paper. Positively nothing like it known. Ha ! 
I see you are surprised, but, let me tell you that many 
are, who list to the patter of Theophilus Clatter. That’s 
me. At your service 1” 

With a wave of his fat hand, on which sparkled a 
ring, the man, who in gaudiness almost matched his 
wagon, descended two more steps, and advanced toward 
the boys, smiling in a friendly fashion. 

^^Can I do anything for you ?” he asked. ^^Command 
me. I, too, am a soldier of fortune, not such very good 
fortune, just at present, but I may win a battle, or at 
least a skirmish, at any moment. Hame your pleasure, 
young gentlemen, mayhap Theophilus Clatter can serve 



**AH, GOOD-MORNING, MY THREE SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE!” 

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Meeting Theophilus Clatter in 


you, be it that you suffer from ills of the body or troubles 
of the mind.” 

^^We’re hungry !” exclaimed William. ^^Can you sell 
us some breakfast?” 

^^Breakfast ! Magic word !” exclaimed Mr. Clatter. 
^^How it robs the day of its terrors ! Breakfast ! There’s 
nothing like it, save, perchance dinner or supper. 
Breakfast! Come, you shall break your fast with me. 
What ho! Mercurio! Base slave! Varlet! Thrice 
cursed dog ! "We would breakfast !” 

He clapped his hands three times, darted toward the 
wagon, and, in a trice had lifted out a small oil stove,- a 
box containing a coffee pot and some other utensils, and 
a second box which held a miscellaneous collection of 
dishes and food. 

^^Breakfast !” he cried gaily. ^^We shall breakfast as 
do few kings or emperors ! What ho ! Mercurio ! Light 
the magic fire !” 

He set the oil wicks ablaze. 

^^Are you Mercurio ?” asked John. 

^^At your service, gentlemen,” replied Mr. Clatter, 
bowing low. ^^How, if you will help to set the table, we 
will replenish the inner man, and complete the work 
started by tired nature’s sweet restorer, balmy sleep,” 
and he dragged out from the wagon a large box. 

^^The table, to which I referred, gentlemen,” he said 
with a smile. ‘^The dishes you will find in this other 
receptacle. How to put the coffee on, slice the bacon 
and fry the eggs. Ah, Mercurio, you are a jewel of a 
servant,” and he tried to pat himself on the back, a feat 
by no means easy, considering his stout build. 


112 


Those Smith Boys 


Not a little astonished at the manners of their queer 
host, the hoys set to work, to place the dishes on the 
improvised table. Mr. Clatter hustled about, making 
coffee, slicing the bacon and breaking eggs into a pan. 
Soon the appetizing odors were wafted about the gaily 
painted wagon, making the mouths of the hungry boys 
fairly water. 

^^Done to a turn,’’ announced the odd traveler, as he 
inspected the bacon and eggs. ‘^Gentlemen, be seated,” 
and he waved his hand toward the table, about which, 
however, were no chairs. 

'^The ground for ours,” said William with a laugh, 
joining in with the humorous spirit of their host, and 
soon the four were partaking of an excellent meal, 
while Waggles, with one ear cocked up, to indicate his 
surprise at what was taking place, caught occasional bits 
of bacon and bread that his young masters tossed to him. 


CHAPTER XV 


A PATENT MEDICINE SHOW 

Much excited by what had been found in the cave, 
Harry Lutken hurried to the railroad camp. There he 
found Mr. Carboy, and gave him Mr. Smith’s message. 

^^Those Smith boys lost, eh?” remarked the railroad 
foreman. always knew something would happen to 
those lads. They’re too full of life. Well, they can’t 
help it I s’pose. I don’t bear them any ill will, though 
they certainly did make a rumpus here. Of course I’ll 
help Mr. Smith hunt for them. And you say he has 
trace of the thief ?” 

^^He found a note book that was taken when the money 
was stolen,” replied Harry. 

hope we catch the scoundrel. I’d rather find him 
than the boys, for I know they can look out for 
themselves.” 

Mr. Carboy called some of his men, and, with some 
oil torches, which were used about the camp, they set off 
with Harry for the cave. They found Mr. Smith and 
Bateye, pacing about in the darkness, waiting impa- 
tiently for them. 

^^Anything happened since I left?” asked Harry. 

^^Xot a thing. Doc,” replied his chum. 

^^We’d better scatter, as we can search better that 


114 


Those Smith Boys 


way/’ suggested Mr. Carboy, and he deployed his men 
through the woods. 

They searched about for an hour or more, calling the 
names of the missing lads, hut getting no answer. At 
last even Mr. Smith was convinced that his sons were 
not in the vicinity, or, if they were, they were too 
alarmed to make reply. 

guess we’ll have to give up,” he said. 

^^Don’t worry,” advised the railroad foreman. ^^Those 
boys will come hack, when they find out it’s all a mis- 
take. But I would like to catch that thief.” 

^^So would I,” said Mr. Smith, ^Tut I’m afraid we 
v/on’t have any such luck. I shall tell the police what 
I found, and they may he able to get some trace of 
him.” 

He and the two lads went hack to Freeport, and Mar- 
shall Denhy was much excited over the report they 
brought hack. 

^^That’s quite a clue,” he said, ^That note book. I 
believe we shall he able to arrest that robber, now.” 

^AVell, he must be in this vicinity,” argued Mr. Smith. 
^Hut I would rather my boys would come back than 
that you should arrest the thief, though, of course I’d 
like my money.” 

^T’ll get both,” promised the marshall, who had great 
faith in his abilities, and those of his constables. 

But the Smith boys did not come back, for many days, 
neither was the mysterious thumbless man arrested, nor 
was Mr. Smith’s three thousand dollars recovered — at 
least not for a long time, which happening you shall 
hear about in due course. 


A Patent Medicine Show 


115 


Meanwhile the Board of Trade committee, appointed 
to try to induce the railroad to come to Freeport, went 
to see Mr. Stanton, hut, as he had left for another part 
of the line, they had to wait for some time before they 
could see him. Mr. Smith grew more and more wor- 
ried as several days passed, and there were no tidings 
of his sons, wdio, meanwhile, were having a series of 
strange adventures, which shall be set down in due 
order. 

^^Are you traveling about for fun, or are you in some 
business?’’ asked John, of Mr. Clatter, when, in a mea- 
sure, the sharp edge of their appetites had been dulled. 

^Tor both,” replied the flashy man promptly. And 
pleasure in doing business, as you shall see. Professor 
Clatter’s patter amuses the multitudes, and, at the same 
time it enables me to dispose of my patent medicines, 
my Peerless Permanent Pain Preventative, my Eapid 
Bobust Resolute Resolvent, my Spotless Saponifler. Or, 
should any one desire to know the future, or have me 
relate to them what took place in the past, I have but 
to glance at their hands, and tell them. To my other 
abilities, I add those of a palmist, and I have no small 
talents in that direction.” 

^^Do you travel all about ?” asked William. 

‘^All about, my young friend. R'orth, south, east and 
west, there is no place that I love best. I am a citizen 
of the world. R'o certain place claims me, though many 
desire me. l^ow, since you have flnished breakfast, 
permit me to ask whither you are journeying?” 

The boys hesitated. They felt drawn to this jolly indi- 


ii6 


Those Smith Boys 


vidiial, in spite of his claptrap ways. He seemed hon- 
est, and he certainly had given what they stood much 
in need of — a breakfast. Still, should they tell him 
their story ? The same hesitation was in the mind of all 
three. 

^‘How much do we owe you for the meal?’’ asked 
John, putting his hand in his pocket, where he had a 
few dollars. ^^We can pay for it.” 

^^Hever !” exclaimed Professor Clatter. ^^What ! 
Shall Mercurio and I take pay from soldiers of fortune 
like ourselves ? Hever ! Hever ! Hever ! We would 
scorn to do it! Gentlemen, you are welcome to what 
you have received. I wish it had been a banquet of 
nectar and ambrosia, but bacon and eggs are not a 
bad substitute at times. You are thrice welcome to it, 
seeing that there are three of you. But as for pay — 
never 1 What ho ! Mercurio ! Base born slave ! Away 
with these breakfast things. We must be up and doing I 
We must be on our way! Hillsboro calls us. Hills- 
boro is anxiously waiting the advent of Professor Clat- 
ter’s patter — his Peerless Permanent Pain Preventa- 
tive — his Rapid Robust Resolute Resolvent — his Spot- 
less Saponifier — Hillsboro calls us — calls Pactolus and 
me — eh, Pactolus ?” 

The horse whinnied. 

^Ts that his name ?” asked Pete. 

^Tt is, my dear young friend,” replied Professor Clat- 
ter as he rolled up his sleeves, and proceeded to clean the 
breakfast dishes of the remnants of food, which he 
scraped down in front of Waggles. ^Tactolus, you 


A Patent Medicine Show 


117 

know, was the river in which King Midas washed, and, 
ever after, all that he touched turned to gold.’^ 

He paused to look at Waggles eagerly devouring 
the scraps of food. The dog seemed to have taken a 
liking to the patent medicine and soap vender. 

^‘Yes, I named my horse Pactolus in the hope that, 
some day, he might lead me to a river which, bathing in, 
I might transmute into gold, such baser metals as come 
my way. But, so far, my search has been without result. 
Still, I have hopes. But I beg your several individual 
and distinct pardons. I believe I did not give you a 
chance to tell anything about yourselves. Whence came 
you, and whither art thou going — quo vadis, as the 
ancients say?^’ 

^^We — we donT know exactly,” said John. 

^^Ah!” 

It was but a slight expression from the lips of the 
professor, but it indicated much. 

^AVhen did you run away from home?” he asked a 
moment later. 

The three boys started. 

^^How did you know ?” began Pete. 

^^Ha ! Ha !” laughed the man. thought I would get 
you there. Know you not that all secrets are mine for 
the reading ? Plave I not glanced at your palms ? But 
fear not. It’s all right. I know what it is to be young 
— to have desires to see the world — to be misunder- 
stood ” 

^That’s it,” said John eagerly. ^Tt’s all a mistake. 
We ” 

The professor stopped him with a gesture. 


ii8 


Those Smith Boys 


^Tut-tut he said. ^^What I don’t know I can never 
tell. I appreciate your difficulty. I may even be of 
service to you. Would you like to travel with me 

The sudden invitation nearly took away the breath of 
the boys. The professor noted their astonishment. He 
assumed a more serious air. 

mean it/’ he said. ^^As I told you, I am a trav- 
eling vender of patent medicines, soaps and so on. With 
my selling, I mingle harmless patter, some fortune tell- 
ing by means of palmistry, and a little entertainment. 
The entertainment part of my program consisted, up to 
a few days ago, of a combined clown and trickster. He 
left me in a fit of passion, and I am without an assistant. 
I come upon you, most unexpectedly. I like your looks. 
I think we could be mutually helpful. You could be 
my three entertainers, and, at the same time, see much 
of the world and life. What do you say? Is it a 
bargain ?” 

^^But we — ^we don’t know how to do anything,” said 
John slowly. 

^^Tut — tut! A mere nothing. In three days I will 
teach you more than my faithless clown knew. A few 
songs, some verses — a little dance — ^what do you say — 
will you come? See, we shall make a fine company, 
three bright lads, a lame dog, a horse that may take us 
to the river of gold — and, lastly, Theophilus Clatter and 
his patter. What do you say ?” 

The three brothers hesitated. They felt that they 
could not go back to Freeport — at least for a time — yet 
they must live. Here seemed the very chance they 


A Patent Medicine Show 


119 

needed. John looked at his brothers. They nodded an 
assent. 

— I gness we’ll go with you/’ he said. 

^^Good!” exclaimed the professor heartily, and that 
was how those Smith boys joined a patent medicine 
show. 


CHAPTER XVI 


DEAWING A CEOWD 

^^Xow,” resumed Professor Clatter, when he had 
shaken hands with the three lads, which he did in a 
slow and methodical fashion, quite in contrast to his 
other rapid movements, ^^now we’ll talk business. IVe 
been sort of hanging back from playing any of the big 
towns, because I needed an attraction to draw a crowd. 
I’ve got it, and we’ll proceed to Hillsboro. I’ve got quite 
a stock of medicine and soap to dispose of, for Pactolus 
doesn’t seem inclined to wade into that golden river, 
and we must have money, eh — ^what’s your dog’s name ?” 
he asked quickly. always like to know the names of 
animals I travel with.” 

Waggles,” replied Pete. 

^^That’s no name at all. We must get him a classical 
one, but that will do for a time.” 

Waggles waved his bushy tail to and fro, and limped 
upon three legs, to rub against the professor. 

^ AVhat’s the matter with his leg ?” asked the owner of 
the gaudy wagon. 

^^Broke,” replied John. ^^We had an encounter with 
a burg — a tramp, and he kicked him.” 

^^Who bandaged it?” 
did.” 

^Tlum, Pretty fair. Pretty fair,” murmured Mr. 


Drawing a Crowd 


121 


Clatter. have some small skill in surgery myself, and 
I could not have done better. But to business. ]^ow since 
you three young gentlemen have decided to come with me, 
let us talk terms. I paid my other helper fifteen dollars 
a week. That’s about all I can afford. What do you say 
to dividing that among you, me to furnish transporta- 
tion, food, lodging for yourself and beast — by beast 
meaning Waggles, who is shortly to have another name ? 
What do you say to that ?” 

^^That’s all right,” replied John, looking around to 
see if his brothers agreed with him, which they did. 
‘^But can we all travel in that wagon ?” 

^^Can we ? Well, we just can !” exclaimed the profes- 
sor proudly. have traveled in it for several years, 
and carried a big stock. Come, let me show you.” 

He entered the queer vehicle, going up the steps at 
the rear, the boys following. They saw that the wagon 
was more commodious than they supposed. It was really 
divided into two rooms, or compartments. The forward 
one had four shelf -like bunks, two on either side, and 
they w^ere fitted with small mattresses, and bed clothes. 

^‘Here’s where we’ll sleep in cold and stormy weather,” 
said Mr. Clatter. ^^At other times, we may, if we like, 
erect a tent in the open, and repose there. How the 
rear part, as you observe, is at once my living room and 
store.” 

The boys saw that it contained some small chairs, a 
miniature table, many boxes, and closets arranged along 
the sides. There was a place where the stove could be 
set up, and a small sideboard that included within itself 
a miniature kitchen. 


122 


Those Smith Boys 


^^Here is where we will live, move and have our 
being,” continued the professor. ^^Here is where I 
address the multitudes from, building out a small stage 
or platform when necessary. I shall do that now that 
I have quite a traveling company. In front is where 
the driver sits, and there is room for two, including the 
dog, or, I should say, in addition to the dog. Waggles, 
whose name is shortly to be changed. How then, how 
do you like it 

The wagon was really quite wonderfully made, and 
was not a half bad conveyance in which to go about the 
country. It was substantially built, and every inch of 
space was utilized. 

^Tt’s fine,” declared John. 

‘^All to the mustard,” was Pete’s opinion. 

^^How’s that ?” asked the professor, evidently puzzled, 
mean it’s pippy, all to the lolly-pops — fine — ^grand 
— just the cheese,” explained Pete. 

^^Ah, I see. You use terms of eating to describe that 
which especially pleases you. V ery good idea, very good 
indeed. I am glad you like my private car. It took a 
great deal of thought to built it. Do you think you can 
sojourn in it for a while 

^^Sure,” replied William. ^Tt’ll be sport, going 
around in this. We can stay away as long as we like — 
until — until ’ ’ 

^^Ho confidences,” interrupted the professor. don’t 
ask why you left home. Doubtlesss you had good rea- 
sons. Enough if this pleases you. How then, I’ll hitch 
Pactolus to this chariot of fire, if you gentlemen will 
kindly place in their proper places the various articles I 


Drawing a Crowd 


123 


have taken from the wagon. You will find each one 
numbered, and the compartment where it is to go bears 
a corresponding numeral. In that way nothing is dis- 
placed. There is nothing like system.” 

He went around to the front of the wagon to get the 
horse, which had stopped eating grass, and the boys pro- 
ceeded to put back into the vehicle the various breakfast 
things; the dishes, pans and other utensils having been 
returned to their proper boxes. They found, as Mr. 
Clatter had said, that there was a numbered space for 
each object, and, when all had been fitted in, the rear 
compartment of the wagon was still quite roomy. 

‘^All aboard,” called the professor. ^AVhich of you 
boys is going to ride with mef’ 

^A^ouM better, John,” suggested William. ^Wou can 
find out what weTe expected to do, and tell us.” 

John took his place on the front seat, with the owner 
of the outfit. Waggles was lifted up between them, Wil- 
liam and Pete took their places in the rear compartment, 
seating themselves in the small chairs, and the horse 
was started. 

^AVe will go to Hillsboro,” said Mr. Clatter to John, 
as they jogged along. ^^There I will get a license to dis- 
pose of my goods, and we will start in to make our 
fortunes.” 

^^But Vm afraid my brothers and I canT do anything 
much to help you,” objected John. 

^AVe will not attempt anything much at first,” replied 
Mr. Clatter. ^‘You can sing, canT you ?” 
little.” 

^‘That will do. I will play the banjo, and you boys 


124 


Those Smith Boys 


can sing. That will attract a crowd, which I will hold 
with a few simple sleight of hand tricks, and some of 
Clatter’s matchless patter, until I can begin to talk the 
merits of my medicine. Then in a few days, you will 
learn something new. Oh, it will he easy.’’ 

John was a hit doubtful, hut he saw nothing else for 
his brothers and himself to do, except become tramps, 
and he did not like to do that. After all, the patent 
medicine and soap show might not he so bad. 

On the trip to Hillsboro Mr. Clatter gave the boys 
some copies of songs, telling them to learn the words. 
The tunes were familiar airs, and, during a halt for 
lunch, on a lonesome country road, beside a small brook, 
he got out his banjo, and they had a little practice. 

^^Fine!” he cried, when the boys had sung one verse. 
^^Better than I expected! You will do famously!” 

The Smith boys had good voices, and they had often 
taken part in school entertainments at home. 

They reached Hillsboro, a good sized city, late in the 
afternoon. During their progress through the streets 
many stared at the odd looking vehicle, and John hoped 
no one would recognize him, as he sat on the front seat. 
Still, as he had seldom been in Hillsboro, and knew no 
one there, he had little fear. 

The necessary license was procured, and arrangements 
made for the night’s business. Instead of eating in the 
Avagon, which, if done in the city streets Avould be sure 
to attract an undesirable croAvd, the professor went to a 
small hotel, where he and the boys had a meal. 

^^ISTow for our contest with fortune,” he said, as they 
entered the A^ehicle which had been drawn up at a busy 


Drawing a Crowd 125 

corner. ^^Don your court suits, young gentlemen, if 
you please.” 

From one of the many compartments of his wagon 
the professor, that day, had produced three suits of 
gaudy color. Mingled red, green, blue, yellow, and 
purple were they, with glittering spangles, and tinkling 
bells. They fitted the boys fairly well. 

once had a troupe of three dancers,” explained the 
patent medicine man. am glad I saved the suits. 
They become you most excellently.” 

The brothers were in some doubt on this point, but 
they made no objections. 

From the rear of the wagon a small platform had been 
built out, and the end compartment of the vehicle was 
concealed from the expected crowd, by a curtain. Gaso- 
lene torches had been hung on either side of the plat- 
form, and these were now lighted, throwing a glaring 
illumination on the scene. The professor set his boxes 
of soap and bottles of medicine under a small table. 

‘^You boys remain behind the curtain until I signal 
you to come out,” he said. ^^When you do, you will be 
ready to sing.” 

Taking his place behind the table on the platform the 
professor, stood for a moment in the glare of the gaso- 
lene lamps. Then, raising his hands high in the air, 
and shaking his shock of black hair he cried in a loud 
voice ; 

‘^Help 1 Help ! Help !” 

His strident tones carried far. People in the street 
stopped, and gazed wonderingly at him. From distant 
thoroughfares the crowds began running. 


126 


Those Smith Boys 


“Help! Help! Help!” 

Thus cried Theophilus Clatter, wildly waving his 
arms above his head. 

The people began to throng about his wagon, more 
joining the assemblage every moment. 

^^Help! Help! Help!” 

It was a wild shout now, and one or two policemen 
added their presence to the throng. Seated back of the 
curtain, in comparative darkness, John, William and 
Pete began to wonder if the professor had not gone sud- 
denly insane. 

^^Did you ever hear such a voice asked Pete. 

^Tt certainly is drawing the crowd,” added William, 
peering through a crack. ^^There’s a mob out there.” 

^^Help! Help! Help!” 

Once more the startling cry. 

Then the professor, lowering his arms, brushed back 
the hair that he had shaken over his eyes, looked over 
the big throng, smiled in a pleasant manner, and said: 

‘Heople, I thank you for coming so quickly when I 
called. Help, in time of need, is man’s greatest blessing. 
I have come here to help you. Listen !” 

The professor had begun his usual evening patter. 


CHAPTEE XVII 


ME. STANTON BUYS SOAP 

Pausing a moment, to let what he had said sink into 
the minds of his expectant audience, the professor 
resumed. 

^^Yes, dear people, help is a great thing. You need 
it, I need it. We can be mutually helpful to each other.” 

^^Aw, what yer drivin’ at asked a man in front of 
the little platform. 

^^My friend asks what I am driving at,” said Mr. 
Clatter with great good nature. ‘^I will tell you pres- 
ently. Friends you have heard that the way to a man^s 
heart is through his stomach. Xow I ” 

^^Aw, we had a feller here last night, sellin’ a new 
kind of breakfast food,” said another man, ^^but it was 
only sawdust pressed into cakes. Xone of that for us !” 

^Wery true, my dear friend,” admitted the professor. 
^^I have no sawdust breakfast food for you, however. 
You doubtless have heard of Orpheus who charmed even 
the savage beasts by his music. Xow, Orpheus ” 

^^Where’d he live?” went on the man, interrupting 
again. 

The professor did not lose his temper. Instead he 
calmly replied: 

^^He lived where gentlemen are in the habit of 
congregating.” 


128 


Those Smith Boys 

^^Tliat’ll hold him for a while!’’ exclaimed several, 
and the man slunk away. 

^^ISTow, friends,” went on Mr. Clatter, know you 
all love music. Ah, there is charm, even in the name. 
We all feel better, happier and more inspired when we 
hear the strains of music. Just now I called for help. 
I am going to help you forget your troubles in music. 
For that you have troubles I am well convinced. All 
mortal men have them. But, for a time, you will forget 
yours. I have with me, a troupe of sweet singers, noble 
youth, whom I have imported at a great expense, and, 
with your kind permission and attention, I will now 
introduce them to you.” 

The professor gave a signal, and, from behind the cur- 
tain came William, Pete and John, in their gay attire. 
There was a murmur from the throng, and the boys 
began to feel an attack of stage fright. 

^^Steady,” whispered the professor to them. ^Must 
forget all about the crowd. We’ll try the first song.” 

He took up his banjo, rendered a few chords with a 
skillful hand, and began the air. 

The boys, with voices a trifle weak at first, gradually 
gained confidence, and soon were singing well. They 
finished the song, and there was considerable applause. 

^^What did I tell you?” asked the professor of the 
crowd. ^^You feel better already. How W3 will have 
another.” 

The boys sang once more, doing better. 

^That’ll be all for a while,” said Mr. Clatter in a 
low voice, as the applause broke out again. ^^You may 
go back now, and when I want you I’ll let you know.” 


Mr. Stanton Buys Soap 


129 


Rather relieved that they had gotten through so well, 
John and his brothers passed behind the curtain, and 
sat down in the rear of the wagon. 

^^Who ever would have thought that we’d be doing 
this asked Pete. 

^ Jt wasn’t so bad,” declared J ohn. ^ J think it’s fun.” 

‘^So do I,” agreed William. hope nobody recog- 
nized us though.” 

^^hTo danger, with these rigs on,” was John’s opinion. 
^^But let’s listen to what he’s saying.” 

Out on his little platform the professor was again 
addressing the throng. 

^^]J^ow, my friends,” he said, trust you are in a 
mood to hear what I have to say. The sweet music has 
put you in tune with me. Listen. You all know that 
flesh is weak. Prom the days of our childhood to old 
age, we are constantly fighting off disease and death, 
l^ow, none of you may feel ill at this moment, but you 
can not tell when you will. In case any of you should, 
I have that here which will be of great help to you. 

^^Allow me to make you acquainted with my Peerless 
Permanent Pain Preventative. Should you have a 
pain, no matter where, a few drops of this magical 
remedy will relieve it. If it is on the outside, rub a 
little on the affected part. Should it come from within, 
take a few drops. The effect will be magical.” 

‘Ts it good for toothache?” asked a man, with a 
swollen jaw. 

^^Hothing better,” replied Mr. Clatter. ^Must come 
here, my friend, and I will demonstrate.” 

The man went up to the platform, the professor 


130 Those Smith Boys 

rubbed a little of the remedy on the sufferer’s gum, and 
asked ; 

^^How about it ? Is the pain gone 

^^It’s stopped, some,” admitted the man. 

course. Naturally. No pain can exist where my 
Peerless Permanent Pain Preventative is. Let me put 
a few more drops on.” 

The professor stooped over, and shoved his finger into 
the open mouth of a man standing close to the platform. 

^^Here! What you doing?” demanded the surprised 
individual. don’t want none of your old stuff in 
my mouth !” 

‘T thought you said you had the toothache,” said the 
professor. was giving you a second application.” 

^^Naw, I ain’t got no toothache.” 

^Tt’s me,” remarked the man standing next to him. 
^^You made a mistake.” 

^^Ah,” observed Mr. Clatter, in no whit perturbed by 
his error, ^^accidents will happen. But, my friend, did 
you have a pain any^vhere ?” and he addressed the man 
who had objected to the remedy. 

‘^Naw, I ain’t got no pain.” 

^^Then you won’t get any for some time to come,” said 
the professor. ‘^Those few drops of my Peerless Per- 
manent Pain Preventative, which I accidentally put 
in your mouth, will make you immune from pain for a 
week to come. It was a fortunate accident.” 

^^Well, I don’t want no more,” said the man, moving 
away. 

^^Now, my dear friend, let me administer a bit more 


Mr. Stanton Buys Soap 131 

to yoTir aching tooth/’ went on Mr. Clatter. ^^The sec- 
ond application will surely stop it.” 

Grinning sheepishly, the man submitted to have some 
more of the mixture rubbed on his gums. 

^^hTow, your pain is entirely relieved,” declared the 
vendor confidently. ^^Isn’t it ?” 
vender confidently. ^Msn’t it?” 

told you so. ISTow who wants a bottle of my 
Peerless Permanent Pain Preventative? The regular 
price is one dollar, but for a limited time only, and 
merely to introduce it among you, I will dispose of it 
for twenty-five cents a bottle for the large size, and ten 
cents for the small. Pemember I guarantee it to cure 
every pain that fiesh is heir to, and if it does not, come 
to me and get your money back. You are running no 
risk. Come now, who’ll have the first bottle of Pro- 
fessor Theophilus Clatter’s Peerless Permanent Pain 
Preventative ?” 

There was some hesitation, and then the crowd began 
to buy. The professor, talking meanwhile of the vir* 
tues of his medicine, disposed of considerable of it. 
When the crowd showed a disposition to buy no more, 
he said : 

I will have my troupe of sweet singers discourse 
melodious music for you.” 

He gave the boys a signal to come out, and they 
rendered two songs. 

^^How, friends,” went on the professor, ^^while I have 
thus far administered to your bodily ailments, that is 
not the only thing that I can do. Doubtless, at some 
time or other, you men may have had the misfortune 


132 


Those Smith Boys 


to get a spot on your clothes, or you ladies on your 
dresses. If such has happened, be not discouraged. 
Professor Theophilus Clatter, in spite of his patter, has 
come here to help you. With my Rapid Robust Reso- 
lute Resolvent, or my Spotless Saponifier, the most 
obstinate spot will vanish as do the mists before the 
sun.’’ 

He talked much more in the same strain, concerning 
his soap, and then began to sell it. The soap seemed 
to take with the crowd and he did a rushing business, 
so much so that he had to call the boys to help him 
hand out the packages and take the money. 

A man pushed his way through the crowd, to the 
edge of the platform. 

^WTll that soap take out ink spots ?” he asked. 

^Tt certainly will,” replied the professor. '^Or paint 
spots, or oil spots, or acid spots, or dirt spots, or grease 
spots or milk spots or any kind of spots. It is only 
ten cents a cake, and ” 

^^Give me two cakes,” said the man, handing up two 
dimes to William. William gave one look at the man. 
To his alarm he recognized him as Mr. Stanton, the 
surveyor whose tent the hand car had demolished. 

Thinking nothing else but that the railroad surveyor 
was on his trail, and had come to cause his arrest, 
William, with a muttered excuse, turned and fled be- 
hind the curtain. 

^^Here, where’s my soap?” called Mr. Stanton, for 
William had carried off his two dimes. 

^^Here you are,” said John, who had seen his brother’s 
action. 


Mr. Stanton Buys Soap 


133 


He handed over two cakes of the soap, and then, in 
his turn, recognizing the surveyor, he also ducked behind 
the curtain. 

A moment later, Pete, also catching a glimpse of the 
man for whom he his brothers had caused so much 
trouble, darted into the back of the wagon, while the 
professor, not knowing what to make of such conduct, 
paused in his rapid-fire talk, and ceased to hand out 
the soap and take in the money. 


CHAPTEE XVIII 


THE WEATHER PROPHET 

‘Triends,” exclaimed the professor, not knowing in 
the least why the three boys had so suddenly disappeared, 
“my sweet singers have felt the muse of music ap- 
proaching. They have but retired to get ready to en- 
tertain you once more.” 

The professor was quick to take advantage of every 
emergency, no matter what it was. 

“We will now entertain you for a short time,” he 
continued, reaching for his banjo, and twanging a few 
chords. 

The boys were quick to take advantage of this. At 
the signal they came out, and, though they looked fear- 
fully around for a sight of Mr. Stanton they did not 
see him. 

“He wouldnT know us, anyhow, in these clothes,” 
said John quickly, to his brothers. 

After the singing, which the boys managed to get 
through with, more or less successfully, the selling of 
1:he soap was resumed. It was kept up until the crowd 
showed, by buying no more, that enough had been dis- 
posed of, then the professor, with a final burst of patter, 
announced that he would be at the same spot to-morrow 
night. 


The Weather Prophet 135 

As the throng dispersed, Mr. Clatter went in behind 
the curtain, where the boys had already gone. 

‘^Say, what was the matter?’’ asked the professor. 
^^Why did you duck in here so quickly, just when the 
soap was going like hot cakes. You nearly queered 
my business.” 

— I saw a man,” said William. 

‘^That’s nothing,” declared their employer. saw 

a lot of men. What’s the matter with you boys, any- 
how ?” 

They were silent for a moment, debating in their 
minds whether or not to tell the professor their story. 

^^He was a man — a man we didn’t want to meet,” 
explained John.” 

'^Say, look here,” said Mr. Clatter roughly, but good 
naturedly, *^maybe you’d better tell me about your- 
selves after all. I can’t have things like this happen- 
ing every night. Was that any of your folks after 
you ?” 

‘^Yo,” said John, “it was a man that a hand car 
ran into a water tank and it knocked his tent over and 
— and ” 

“What!” cried Mr. Clatter. “A man that a hand 
car ran into a water tank — ^what kind of talk is that ?” 

“I’ll tell you,” said John, and he proceeded to ex- 
plain why they ran away from home. 

“Well, of all the stories I ever heard!” exclaimed 
the professor, “that’s the limit! Why did you go to 
the railroad camp ?” 

“To look for the man without a thunib,” explained 
Pete. 


Those Smith Boys 


136 

man without a thumb repeated Mr. Clatter, 
guess IM better explain from the beginning,’’ said 
John, and he proceeded to do so, starting with how 
they went out to fly their kite, which took little Susie 
Mantell up into the air, and ending with their flight 
by night. 

^^Hum,” said Mr. Clatter, when the lad had finished. 
^^And so you are still looking for the man without a 
thumb ?” 

are,” said William, ^^but I don’t believe we’ll 
ever find him.” 

^^And you think he is in this neighborhood?” asked 
the professor. 

^ Jt looks so, seeing that he was in the cave,” replied 
Pete. 

‘^Hum,” remarked Mr. Clatter again. ^^Let me 
think a minute,” he added. 

He began pacing up and down the narrow confines 
of the rear of the wagon. He could take a step and a 
half in one direction, and two in the other. Still, it 
seemed to serve his purpose. 

have it!” he exclaimed at length. 

^^Do you know the man without a thumb?” asked 
John. 

^^Ho, but I think I know a way to catch him.” 

^^How ?” 

^H’ll tell you. You know I am a palmist. Some- 
times, when I find the crowd does not take to my patter, 
or to the music, I read palms for them. I distribute 
pieces of paper, covered with a black substance. I tell 
the people to press their palms firmly on the black 


The Weather Prophet 


137 


surface. They do so. Some of it comes off on their 
hands. Then they press their palms down on a white 
piece of paper, leaving an impression of their hand. 
These I read from the platform, telling the past, pre- 
sent and future in truly a marvelous manner.’’ 

The professor was beginning on his pattering strain. 
He observed this, and stopped. 

^^What I propose is this,” he said. ^^In every place 
where we stop, I will give a palm-reading exhibition. 
I will invite every one to submit a sample of his hand. 
Of course I can not read them all, but I will do as 
many as I can. Every one will be eager to submit his 
or hers, as there is nothing that so catches the public 
as a chance to learn something about themselves by 
fortune telling. 

^^ISTow you believe the thumbless robber is in this 
vicinity. It may be that he will attend one of my lec- 
tures. If he does, and hands in a piece of paper, with 
an impression of his palm I will know it instantly. 
Then, one of you can slip off, warn the police, and 
cause his arrest. The absence of his thumb will plainly 
show on the impression on the paper. Boys, I think I 
can help you to find the robber!” 

The boys were silent a moment. It was a plan that 
seemed very strange to them. Yet it might succeed. 
There would be no harm in trying. 

^^What do you say ?” asked the professor. 

We’ll be much obliged to you for your help,” said 
John. 

^That’s what we will,” chimed in William. ^ Jf we 


Those Smith Boys 


138 

could get dad’s three thousand dollars hack it would 
be a great thing.” 

^^And now about yourselves,” went on the professor. 
^^How long are you going to stay from home?” 

^^Until it’s safe to go back,” said Pete. ^‘We don’t 
want to be arrested. We thought Mr. Stanton was 
after us, but maybe he was only here by accident. 
Still, we don’t want to be caught.” 

don’t blame you. As long as you have gone this 
far you may as well continue. But I must ask you 
to send some word to your father. Doubtless he is 
much worried about you. It will do no harm, for the 
authorities can not trace you by a letter, and it will 
greatly relieve his mind. Will you do this ?” 

^Wes,” agTeed John, and he wrote and posted a 
letter that night, telling why he and his brothers had 
run away, and assuring Mr. Smith that they were all 
right, and would return as soon as they thought it safe. 
But John gave no address where his father could com- 
municate with him. 

^^How,” said the professor, when this had been done, 
^^we will hie ourselves to a quieter place to sleep.” 

He got his horse from the hotel, hitched him to the 
gaudy wagon, and drove into the outskirts of Hills- 
boro, where the boys and their employer prepared to 
spend the night in the bunks in the vehicle. 

They went out about two miles, and found a good 
place along the main road, under a clump of elm trees. 

will hobble Pactolus, so that he will not stray to 
that golden river in the night,” said the professor, 
^^and then we will seek our downy beds.” 


The Weather Prophet 


139 


As he led the horse to the fence, where he proposed 
t^ing him through the night, William, looking out of 
one of the windows of the wagon, saw another vehicle 
standing on the other side of the road. It was a queer 
affair, with something like a big stove pipe sticking 
out from the top, and seemed, in the dim light from 
the medicine wagon, to be of extraordinary strong con- 
struction. 

^There’s some else here, professor,” the boy said, as 
Mr. Clatter came back, from having fastened his horse. 

^^Some one else?” 

^^Yes, there’s another wagon over there.” 

Mr. Clatter looked wdiere William pointed. As they 
watched they saw a figure emerge from it. The figure 
carried a lantern, and approached their own vehicle, 
and coming close called out: 

^^Whom have we here ? Is it a rival, or some person 
whose scientific attainments do not conflict with my 
own ?” 

^^Ha! I should know that voice!” cried the pro- 
fessor. ^Ts it not Duodecimo Donaldby ?” 

^Tt is that same,” replied the stranger. ^^And, may 
I shatter a cirrus nimbus, if I do not behold my old 
friend and side-partner Theophilus Clatter.” 

^^You needn’t shatter any rain clouds to-night,” said 
the professor with a laugh. ^‘Shake hands, you old 
weather prophet; shake! How is the world using 
you ?” 

^'Hever better. I have had most excellent results. 
And you, Theophilus?” 


140 


Those Smith Boys 


^Tair, fair. My Peerless Permanent Pain Preven- 
tative, my Papid Robust Resolute Resolvent and my 
Spotless Saponifier seem to please the public. But 
come in. I have companions who will be glad to meet 
you/’ and he led him inside the gaudy wagon. 


CHAPTER XIX 


SEEKING CLUES 

^^Poys,” said Mr. Clatter, as he waved his hand 
toward the figure of the weather prophet, ^^allow me to 
present you to my old friend, my sometimes partner 
and fellow worker. Duodecimo Donaldby. He holds 
the secrets of nature in the hollow of his hand, and he 
can make rain water of the parched dust. Duodecimo, 
these are some traveling friends of mine, who have 
cast their lot in with me. The celebrated Smith boys, 
the only ones of their name,” and he laughed good- 
naturedly. 

^^Smith — Smith,” murmured Mr. Donaldby. ^^The 
name does sound familiar. But I am glad to meet 
you. I was just wishing I had some one to join my 
lonely meal.” 

^^Then you haven’t dined yet,” spoke the professor. 
^^You shall have a late supper with us. Boys, set out 
the fairy table. What ho! Mercurio! Avaunt thee! 
Haste ! Haste. A guest awaits ! Bring viands that he 
may dine!” 

The professor clapped his hands three times, whirled 
about in the middle of the small room, and then set to 
work with the aid of the boys, in getting a midnight 
lunch, for it was close to that hour. 

The antics of the inventor of the Pain Preventative, 


142 


Those Smith Boys 


the Eesolvent and other things did not seem to sur- 
prise the weather prophet. The boys glanced at him, 
and saw a thin man, with a straggly heard, clothed in 
rusty black, and wearing a tall hat, from which escaped 
long, straggling hair. This, too, was much the worse 
for wear. The weather prophet had a sandy com- 
plexion, and watery blue eyes. Altogether he was not 
a very pleasing individual. He took a seat in one of 
the chairs, in a corner out of the way, and watched the 
others bustling about as well as they could in the small 
space. 

^^Mr. Duodecimo Donaldby, I may as well tell you, 
boys, is a wonderful character,’’ went on the professor. 
^^He not only predicts what the weather is going to be, 
but actually makes his own predictions come to pass. 
He is ” 

‘^How don’t lay it on too strong, Theophilus,” 
pleaded the prophet. ^^You know your failing. He 
doesn’t mean to deceive you boys, but he is naturally 
of an enthusiastic temperament,” said Mr. Donaldby. 
^^My only abilities lie in being able to make a fairly 
accurate prediction as to what the weather is going to 
be, and I may say that I have had fair success in pro- 
ducing rain in arid regions.” 

^^Do you really make it rain?” asked William, 
do,” answered the prophet with a bow, removing 
his somewhat battered tile. 

^^By exploding dynamite up in the air?” added 
John. 

^^Ha, you have some knowledge of science, I see!”' 
exclaimed the prophet. 


Seeking Clues 143 

^^Well, they tried that at a fair we had in Freeport 
once,” explained Pete. ^^It didn’t work, thongh.” 

‘^Perchance some mere amateur attempted it,” said 
the weather man. ^^There are many nice particulars to 
he observed. If you remain with Professor Clatter, 
perchance you may observe them.” 

“Are you going to make it rain here?” asked Wil- 
liam. “I didn’t bring any umbrella ” 

“I have just arrived here,” went on Mr. Donaldhy. 
“I have not yet had time to find out if they need my ser- 
vices. How about it, Theophilus? Have they had 
rain here lately, or are the crops suffer ing from droutli, 
so that I may be in a position to offer my services ?” 

“If you were the other kind of a magician,” said 
Mr. Clatter, “you might serve them. It has rained 
for nearly a week, I am told, and has just stopped.” 

“Just my luck,” observed the prophet. “I shall 
have to travel farther on, and I hoped to replenish my 
treasury here, for I don’t mind admitting that my funds 
are getting low.” 

“Don’t worry about that,” said the professor. “I 
am doing well. If you wait a few days I may accom- 
pany you.” 

“Ha ! What keeps you in such a small town so 
long ?” asked the weather prophet. “You seldom linger 
more than a day and a night.” 

“I have a mission. We are seeking — these boys and 
I — for a thumbless man.” 

“A thumbless man?” 

“Exactly — a robber,” and he proceeded to relate the 


144 


Those Smith Boys 


story of tlie boys’ quest, and how they hoped to find 
the thief by means of palmistry. 

^^Hum,” murmured the weather prophet. ^^Not a 
bad idea ; not half bad, by my stratus-nimbus !” 

^^We are going to stay a few more nights in Hills- 
boro,” went on the professor, and you might as well 
remain here too. In that time we may hear of some 
region needing rain, where you can exercise your tal- 
ents. You know,” Mr. Clatter continued, turning to 
the three boys, ^^my friend Duodecimo has a sort of 
miniature mortar in his wagon. He fires a bomb high 
into the air, and it explodes, shattering the rain clouds, 
and bringing down the moisture.” 

^^It does when it works,” added the prophet. ^^But 
oft times a nimbus cloud merges into a cumulus, or a 
cirrus-stratus; or a stratus that looks promising is 
blown into a cumulus — Oh, it is not all easy sailing.” 

^^Ho, of course not,” admitted the professor. ^^But 
come, Mercurio has our repast ready; let us dine.” 

They sat down to a simple meal in the wagon, rather 
crowded as to space, but no one seemed to mind, par- 
ticularly not the boys, for they were hungry. 

They had scarcely finished the meal, during which 
the professor and the prophet talked of their past ex- 
periences, when there sounded outside the patent medi- 
cine wagon a series of yelps, howls, barks, screeches, 
screams and growls. 

^^Ha! One of those voices seems to be that of 
Scratch, my cat,” observed the prophet, rising hastily. 

^^And the other is Waggles, our dog,” observed John, 


Seeking Clues 145 

hurrying to the door of the wagon. ^Waggles hates 
cats.” 

^‘And Scratch, my cat, hates dogs,” added the 
prophet. think we had best separate them.” 

When the door was opened the noise of the two ani- 
mals in dispute sounded more plainly. 

‘Waggles! Here! Stop that!” cried John, and, 
with a whine the dog ran around into the light that 
streamed from the wagon door. Upon his shoulders 
w^as perched a big, black cat, which seemed twice its 
natural size, with arched back and swelled up tail. 

“Look at that!” cried Pete. “Ho wonder Waggles 
howled.” 

“Scratch! Here!” called the prophet, and the cat 
leaped down, and, with a spring perched upon his 
shoulder, its greenish-yellow eyes fairly snapping at 
the crouching dog. 

“I hope they will get on better terms,” remarked the 
professor. “If we are to travel in company it will not 
be pleasant to have them quarreling all the while.” 

“Oh, I can make Waggles stop,” said John. “Here, 
sir!” he called to the dog. “Ho cats! Understand! 
Ho cats !” and he pointed to the black creature on the 
prophet’s shoulder. 

Waggles thumped his tail up and down on the 
ground. 

“Scratch!” exclaimed the prophet. “Don’t annoy 
Waggles. He’ll not touch you !” 

The cat growled, but its tail seemed to shrink in size, 
and the arch of its back was not so pronounced. 


Those Smith Boys 


146 

^^Perhaps we can make them at least declare an 
armistice/’ said Mr. Clatter. 

^Tie down, Waggles/’ ordered John, and the dog 
crawled under the wagon. 

thought I shut mj cat up in my wagon,” said 
Mr. Donaldby. ^^She must have gotten out. However 
it doesn’t matter. I think they may make friends.” 

It was getting late, and the boys plainly showed 
how tired they were. The professor noticed it. 

^^You had better turn in.” he said. ^T’ll come to 
bed myself, presently.” 

The three brothers were glad to avail themselves of 
the opportunity, and they passed into the forward part 
of the wagon, where the bunks had been made up. 
The professor and the prophet remained up for some 
time longer, conversing in low tones in the rear of the 
vehicle. The boys could hear them, and their con- 
versation was of the patent medicine, soap and palm- 
istry which formed Mr. Clatter’s stock-in-trade, and of 
weather, explosives, cirrus-cumulus, cumulus-stratus 
and stratus-nimbus, on the part of the prophet. 

“I wonder what cirrus-cumulus and stratus-nimbus 
and all those names mean?” asked William, as he was 
undressing. ^ 

^^They’re names of clouds,” said John. ^^Don’t you 
remember we studied about them in physical geography. 
I remember that a nimbus is a rain cloud, and a cumu- 
lus is a big fluffy pile of clouds.” 

^^Do you really s’pose he makes rain ?” asked 
William, 


Seeking Clues 147 

‘^Oh, I don^t know/’ answered John. too 

sleepy to care much.” 

‘^Do you know what I think?” inquired Pete. 

‘Tell us, quick/’ advised his older brother. 

“I think the professor and the prophet are both a 
couple of fakes/’ said Pete in a whisper. “They’re 
regular swindlers, traveling about to get money any 
way they can.” 

“Perhaps,” admitted John, “but we can’t help it. 
The professor doesn’t seem to be so bad, and he helped 
us out of a hole. We’ll stick to him for a while.” 

“All right, Cap,” said Pete. “Just as you say,” and 
the three brothers dropped off to sleep. The last thing 
they remembered being conscious of were the droning 
voices of the professor and the prophet. 

In the morning, after a hasty breakfast, the prophet 
invited them to see the apparatus in his wagon. The 
vehicle, except for being much heavier built, was some- 
what like the one owned by the professor. There were 
only small living quarters in it, however, most of the 
space being taken up by a large mortar, the muzzle of 
which was thrust out through the roof, while a big 
steel ammunition box occupied a large space, and was 
marked “DAIIGEKOUS— EXPLOSIVES” in big, 
white letters. 

“I’d like to see it work,” said Pete. 

“So would I,” added William, and even John ad- 
mitted that it might be interesting. 

“Perhaps you may, soon,” said the prophet. 

In the gaudy medicine wagon the professor and the 
boys went into town that morning. They halted on a 


Those Smith Boys 


148 

busy corner, and when a crowd had collected, by means 
of the singing of the lads, or the calling of the pro- 
fessor’s strident voice, the selling of the soap and medi-^ 
cine began. 

ISTot forgetting his promise to Use his palmistry 
game to get a clue to the thumbless man, the professor 
read numberless hands, the impressions of which were 
handed up on the blank pieces of paper. Most of these 
were women’s, but there were a few men, and these 
were eagerly scanned, to see if any of the palms were 
without thumbs. 

At night, when much larger crowds gathered, the 
same performance was gone through with, many palms 
being inspected but with no result. The professor did 
a rushing business, however, and the boys were kept 
busy, in the intervals of singing, handing out soap and 
medicine. At night they went back to where the 
prophet’s wagon was halted, and had a late supper 
together. 

Waggles and Scratch seemed to have become friends. 
At least they did not fight, though occasionally there 
were growls and snarls. 

They remained in Hillsboro for three days, vainly 
seeking clues to the thumbless man. Then, as the town 
had been pretty well ^Vorked,” as the professor ex- 
pressed it, they decided to travel on, the prophet agree- 
ing to accompany them until he found an arid region 
that needed rain. 


CHAPTEE XX 


A HOLD UP 

Along tHe country road went the two wagons. It 
was a pleasant morning, just warm enough, and the 
recent rains had laid the dust so that traveling was a 
pleasure. 

^This isn’t so bad,” remarked John, who had been 
allowed to drive the professor’s horse, the medicine 
man having gone to ride in the weather prophet’s 
wagon for a few miles, so that he could talk to his 
former partner. ^^How do you like it, fellows,” and 
he turned to his two brothers, who had managed to 
squeeze into the seat beside him. 

^dt’s all right while it lasts,” admitted William. 

^^And I’m getting used to being a public performer,” 
added Pete. 

^df you don’t improve in your singing you won’t be 
a performer in this outfit long,” observed John. ^Wou 
simply howled in the chorus.” 

‘^I did not. That was Waggles under the wagon,” 
declared Pete. sang as good as you did.” 

^^That’s not saying much,” observed William. ^Tf 
you fellows want to be really good singers, why listen 
to me.” 

^^Xot now, for goodness’s sake!” exclaimed John, 
placing his hand over his brother’s mouth, which had 


Those Smith Boys 


150 

opened to begin a song. ^^All nature is at peace and 
quietness; don’t disturb her. You might scare the 
horse.” 

^Ylumph! Think you’re smart; don’t you?” asked 
William, as he struggled to remove John’s hand. 

^Tromise not to sing, and I’ll let you go,” said his 
older brother. 

^‘1 promise,” mumbled the smaller lad, and peace 
was restored. 

wonder how long we’ll keep this up,” ventured 
Pete. ^^Do you think we’ll ever find that robber ?” 

^‘1 don’t know,” observed John. seems like a 

pretty slim chance to me, but the professor is hopeful. 
He says the world is made up of slim chances. I 
guess it’s as good a way as any other. The police can’t 
seem to do anything.” 

^Hoor dad,” remarked William. ^Tt seems sort of 
mean to leave him all alone, and him in trouble over 
the loss of his money. We ought to go home.” 

^^Can’t,” was John’s opinion. ‘Tf we do we’re 
likely to be run out of town, on account of that 
railroad trouble. We might even be arrested. Then 
we couldn’t do dad any good — we’d only be a disgrace 
to him.” 

^^But maybe he is in trouble over the loss of his 
money,” went on William. ^'You know he said he 
might have to give up his business.” 

^YVell, we couldn’t help him much.” 

^^We could go to work.” 

don’t believe anybody in Freeport would give us 
work, after — well, after what’s happened. 1 think 


A Hold Up 


151 

we’re better off where we are. We’re earning some- 
thing, and it isn’t costing ns anything for board, which 
it would at home. We can send dad some money if 
you like, as soon as the professor pays us.” 

^^That would be a good idea,” admitted Pete. ^^But 
maybe he’s worrying about where we are.” 

^‘He knows we can take care of ourselves,” declared 
John. ^^Besides we wrote to him, telling him we were 
all right. IN’o, I don’t see that we can do any better 
than stay with the professor for a while. It’s nice, 
traveling around this way, and we’re earning some 
money. I like it, but, of course. I’ll be glad when it’s 
safe to go home again.” 

^^Same here,” came fervently from William. ^^And, 
when I get there, I’m going to let hand cars alone.” 

^^Kight, Oh!” exclaimed Pete. “Say, though, I 
don’t much fancy keeping too close to the prophet’s 
wagon. Suppose it should hit a big bump. He told 
us he had a lot of dynamite in that box, to shoot off in 
his compressed air mortar.” 

^^Oh, I don’t believe there’s much danger,” said 
John. “Mr. Donaldby seems careful. I don’t think 
much of him, though. I believe he’s a worse fake 
than the professor, with his soap and patent medicine. 
He, at least, gives you something for your money. 
But the weather prophet ” 

“He gives the people a big noise, anyhow,” observed 
Pete. 

“Yes, that’s so. But if the professor wants to travel 
with him, I don’t see that we can object. Maybe he’ll 


Those Smith Boys 


152 

strike a dry region soon, and stay there to make rain, 
while we travel on.” 

^^Mayhe,” said William. 

When they had gone several miles the professor came 
back to take charge of his own wagon and the three 
boys elected to ride in the rear compartment. They 
halted for dinner beside a little brook near the road, 
and, while the two horses cropped the long, rich grass, 
the two men, and the boys, to say nothing of Waggles 
the dog and Scratch the cat, made a hearty meal. 

^^And now to see what fortune holds in store for ns at 
the next town,” said the professor, when, having rested 
on a grassy bank, he was ready to proceed. 

^AVhat place is it ?” asked the weather prophet. 

^Tokeville,” replied Mr. Clatter. ^Wou and I once 
did it as traveling minstrels, when I was selling — Ha ! 
Hum ! What was I selling ? Oh, I remember, it was a 
patent lamp.” 

^The kind that melted soon after it was lighted?” 
asked the prophet. 

^The same. We cleaned up a pretty nice sum.” 

^Wes ; and then the authorities ran us out of the place. 
Oh, Pokeville isn’t as slow as the name indicates. Do 
you think they’ll recognize us again?” 

^^Hot me,” replied the professor, gazing down at his 
gaudy red and black vest. ^^As for you, with that long 
hair, your own brother wouldn’t recognize you.” 

^^ISTever had a brother,” answered the rain-maker 
briefly. ^^But come on, it’s getting late, and Pokeville 
lies five miles beyond us yet.” 

^^Yes, let us be up and doing,” agreed the professor. 


A Hold Up 153 

^^Mercurio, help me upF’ and, being rather stout, the 
professor had some difficulty in regaining his feet. 

The horses were again hitched up, and soon the two 
vehicles, the professor’s in the advance, were on the 
move, down the winding road. 

About three miles from the town, they had to pass 
through a rather lonely stretch of woods, and, as it was 
known to be the camping place of many tramps, in the 
summer time, the professor called to Mr. Donaldby to 
bring his vehicle closer, that they might, by a show of 
strength, frighten off any possible marauders. 

heard that there were several hold-ups in this 
vicinity last month,” said the professor, as he urged 
his horse to a trot. ^^And, as I have rather a large 
sum ” 

Tie had hardly spoken, addressing his words to Wil- 
liam, who was on the seat with him, when, from the 
bushes that lined the roadway, sprang several men. Two 
of them held revolvers. 

^^Hold on dere !” exclaimed one, leveling his weapon 
at the professor. ^^Stop!” 

The professor pulled up his horse so sharply that the 
animal slid several feet. 

^AVhat do you want ?” demanded the medicine man. 

^^Easy now, cully, easy,” advised the leader of the 
tramps, for such their ragged clothes, and unshaved 
faces declared the men to be. ^'Easy now. Sim, you 
look to the chariot in de rear, an’ I’ll do wot’s needed 
here. I’ll have to ask youse to step down offen dat dere 
circus wagon,” went on the man with the revolver, while 
his companion started back to the prophet’s wagon. 


154 


Those Smith Boys 


^^Come down? What for?’ demanded Mr. Clatter. 
^^What right have you to stop us on a public road ? I 
shall have you arrested !” 

^^Easy now, cully/’ admonished the tramp. ^^Dere 
ain’t no cops widin’ a mile, an’ we is goin’ t’ have t’ings 
our own way. We knows youse has got money, ’cause a 
friend of mine seen your work in Hillsboro. We’s 
been waitin’ fer youse. How, if youse’ll come down, 
an’ stand on dis side of de road, an’ your young friends 
wot’s wid youse ’ll do the same, dere won’t be no trou- 
ble. Oderwise I may have t’ take unpleasant means of 
gittin’ wot I desire, as de elephant said to de cocoanut 
tree. Come on down, now, youse; an’ me friends’ll 
investigate an’ see wot’s in de swell omnibus. We only 
wants coin, so youse needn’t be afraid dat youse’ll be 
robbed of any of yer household goods.” 

^^Are you — are you going to rob me ?” gasped the pro- 
fessor, his face turning pale. 

^^Dat’s jest wot I’m goin’ t’ do. Come down, now, 
cully, an’ don’t be all day about it. Me time is limited. 
I’ve got an engagement,” and the tramp leader grinned, 
while his companions advanced toward the two wagons. 
More of the ragged men came from the bushes. 


CHAPTEK XXI 


THE PROFESSOR IN TROUBLE 

'^This is outrageous!’’ exclaimed the professor. 

^^Dat’s what youse t’inks/’ replied the tramp leader, 
don’t. We need de money. Come now, no mon- 
keyin’,” and he waved his revolver in a threatening 
manner. 

^^Haven’t you a weapon?” asked William, in a low 
voice. 

‘^1 have, but it’s back in the rear compartment,” 
replied Mr. Clatter. 

^^Maybe John will think to use it,” went on William, 
when the tramp leader interrupted with; 

^^Come now, no chinnin’. Git a move on! We can’t 
wait all day. Git now, an’ we’ll see wot youse has got !” 

Very reluctantly the professor prepared to descend. 
William followed him. 

^^Say, Josh,” called one of the tramp leader’s com- 
panions, ^Mere’s only a couple of kids back here.” 

‘Alake ’em git down,” came the order. ^^Xow, den,” 
to the professor and William, ^^hands up. We might as 
well do dis t’ing in style.” 

He pointed his weapon at them, and they had no 
choice but to obey. 

^^See wot dey has in der pockets,” directed the leader 


156 Those Smith Boys 

to one of his men, whose chief attire seemed to consist 
of a couple of old potato hags. ^^Money is all we want/’ 

Two villainous looking tramps advanced toward Wil- 
liam and the professor. They saw Pete and John get- 
ting down from the rear of the wagon, and more of the 
ragged men surrounded them. Then, from the rear, 
where the second man with the gun had gone, came a 
hail; 

^^Say, Josh, dere ain’t no one in dis wagon.” 

^^All right, see wot’s in it,” was the tramp leader’s 
order. 

The professor was pale with rage or fright. With 
his arms held over his head, an example which William 
had to follow, he awaited the search which the two 
tramps were advancing to perform. William knew that 
the professor must have considerable money about him, 
as business had been good. 

But, just as the two dirty, ragged men were about to 
go through the clothes of the medicine man and William, 
something happened. 

Prom the muzzle of the mortar, which stuck up 
through the top of the prophet’s wagon, a black object 
shot into the air. It was accompanied by a sort of 
coughing, sighing sound, which, as the boys afterward 
learned, was the effect of releasing compressed air. 

The black object went up about thirty feet, described 
a graceful curve, and started to come down. But, just 
as it got overhead of the crowd of tramps that had sur- 
rounded William and the professor, there was a tre- 
mendous explosion. The boys felt a strong wind blow- 
ing them, and they swayed, as if they were going to 


The Professor in Trouble 


157 

topple over. The horses, too, started, but did not 
attempt to run away. 

I^ot so the tramps, however. ISTo sooner had the ech- 
oes of the report begun to die away than the leader, 
throwing his revolver to one side yelled : 

^^Come on! De’re firin’ cannon balls at us! We’ve 
tackled de wrong bunch ! Quick, or de cops’ll be after 
us in jig time ! Eun everybody !” 

A moment later, not a tramp was to be seen, for they 
dove through the underbrush, and, from the crackling 
that sounded, the boys knew that the members of the 
road fraternity were running through the forest. 

^^They — they’ve gone!” gasped the professor, as if 
hardly able to believe it. 

That’s right,” agreed William. ^^But — ^but what 
happened ? What was that explosion ?” 

rather think it was my friend Duodecimo Don- 
aldby,” replied the professor. ^^He fired in the nick 
of time.” 

“Are you — are you hurt?” gasped John, as he and 
Pete came running up from behind the medicine wagon. 

“Not a bit,” replied Wiliam. “Wasn’t it lucky ?” 

“It sure was,” agreed Pete. “Who did it ?” 

“I did,” replied the long-haired weather prophet, as 
he emerged from his wagon. “I fired one of my small- 
est rain-producing shells, but I only turned on enough 
compressed air, so that it would go up a little ways, and 
come down right over their heads.” 

“Did — did you kill ’em ?” asked William. 

“No. The shell is only made of tough paper, and. 


Those Smith Boys 


158 

when it explodes, there is nothing left but dust. It 
frightened them off, though.” 

“I should say it did,” remarked the professor. ^^How 
did you think to do it?” 

^^Why I happened to see them coming,” replied the 
prophet. made up my mind that was the only thing 
to do. I shut myself up in the mortar room, and, 
looked out of the peep hole. When I saw them coming 
for you and William, I let her go. Say, but they did 
run, didn’t they ?” 

^^Like a lot of chickens when the rooster sees a hawk,” 
said John. 

can’t tell you how much obliged I am to you,” 
said the professor to his friend. ‘‘They might have 
taken all my money, and I have quite a large sum.” 

“That’s nothing,” remarked the prophet, as though 
he had just done the most ordinary thing in the world. 
“I’m glad I happened to think of it. I only hope my 
shot doesn’t bring rain, though.” 

“Can you do it with one shot ?” asked Pete. 

“Sometimes. But I didn’t send this one up very 
high. You see I have an arrangement in the mortar, 
so I can regulate the height to which I send my rain- 
making bombs. By increasing the air pressure they go 
higher. I compress my air by a small gasolene engine. 
But this is the first time I ever used my apparatus to 
scare off highwaymen.” 

“And I hope it will be the last,” observed Mr. Clat- 
ter. “I am so frightened that I have lost all my 
appetite.” 

‘'Well, let’s hurry on, before they find out that the 


The Professor in Trouble 


159 

shot was only a harmless one,” suggested the prophet. 
‘^They may take a notion to come hack.” 

^^That^s so,” agreed the professor. “It’s a good thing 
the horses didn’t bolt.” 

“Mine is nsed to the firing of the mortar,” said Mr. 
Donaldby. 

“And mine is too sensible to move unless I give him 
the word,” went on Mr. Clatter. “How, boys, get in, 
and we’ll hnrry on to Pokeville.” 

They reached the town early that evening, and, find- 
ing a secluded place, had their supper. Mr. Donaldby 
made inquiries to learn if there was any chance of 
doing any business in the rainmaking line, but was told 
that there was not, as the surrounding country had been 
pretty well drenched in the last week. 

“Hever mind,” consoled the professor. “You’ll be 
sure to strike a dry place sooner or later. In the mean- 
while, stay with us. You did me and the boys a good 
turn, and we’ll look after you. We may want you to 
scare away some more robbers.” 

“Well, if you put it that way. I’ll remain,” agreed 
the weather prophet, as he tried to polish his shabby 
tile, “but I like to add my share to the traveling 
expenses.” 

He had been living on the bounty of Mr. Clatter for 
the last few days. 

The soap and medicine vender went to the town 
authorities to get his license, and, returning, drove the 
wagon to a busy street corner. There, the glare of the 
gasolene lamps, the singing of the boys, the twanging 
of the banjo and the professor’s loud voice, soon 


i6o 


Those Smith Boys 


attracted a crowd. He began to sell his soap and Pain 
Preventative, and was doing a good trade. Then he 
began to distribute the papers for persons to make 
impressions of their hands, as he saw interest lagging, 
and he wanted to keep it up, as well as to try to dis- 
cover some clues to the robber. 

The boys collected the slips of paper, and eagerly 
examined them as they passed them to Mr. Clatter. 
Hone of them had the impression of a hand without a 
thumb. The professor began to read a ^^fortune^^ from 
a slip. 

^^This person, whose name I observe is Hannibal 
Hokus,” he said, ^Tias a very peculiar hand. He is 
born to inherit wealth. In a short time he will pos- 
sess a fortune. He will meet with a dark lady 

At that moment a policeman stepped up to the plat- 
form. He motioned to the professor, who bent over 
to listen. 

“You can’t do that,” said the bluecoat. 

“Can’t do what?” 

“Tell fortunes. You’ll have to come with me. It’s 
against the law to tell fortunes here.” 

“But I have a license.” 

“Let me see it,” went on the officer. 

The professor pulled out the permit he had obtained 
from the town clerk. 

“This is a license to sell soap and patent medicine,” 
said the policeman. “You have violated the law in tell- 
ing fortunes. I must arrest you at once. Come with 
me.” 

“But I ” protested Mr. Clatter. 


The Professor in Trouble 


i6i 


^^iN’ow don’t dispute with me !” exclaimed the officer, 
know my business. I say you’ve violated the law. 
I heard you. You are under arrest. If you attempt to 
make any resistance it will go hard with you.” 

He suddenly blew a whistle, and three other police- 
men hurried up. 

^^Come with me,” said the first bluecoat to the pro- 
fessor. ^^Come along, or. I’ll drag you down to the 
Jail.” 

^^Oh, I’ll not resist,” said the professor calmly. “But 
you’ll find you’re making a big mistake. Will these 
boys have to go with me ?” 

“Yes, they’ve got to go along too. Come ahead, all 
of you.” 

“Can’t we drive the wagon to the police station?” 
asked Mr. Clatter. 

“I s’pose so,” agreed the officer. “Come on, boys, 
we’ll see that he doesn’t give us the slip,” and he and 
his fellow officers climbed up into the wagon, while the 
three Smith boys, hardly knowing what to make of this 
proceedure, looked blankly on. 

“x\re — are we arrested ?” asked John. 

“That’s what you are,” replied the policeman. 
“Who’ll drive this horse ?” 

“I will,” volunteered the professor. “But I warn 
you that you are making a big mistake.” 

“All right,” replied the bluecoat with a sneer. 
“We’ll see. Go ahead,” and the hapless professor had 
to drive his wagon, containing the boys, himself and 
the policemen, to the station house, while a big crowd 
followed. 


CHAPTER XXII 


SPIDER AND BATEYE 

^^Say,” remarked William to his brothers, as they 
were being driven along the main street, we’re going 
to be arrested we might as well have stayed in 
Ereeport.” 

^^Xo,” replied John. ‘‘This won’t amount to any- 
thing. I’ve heard the professor say he’d been arrested 
lots of times, but he pays a small fine, and is allowed 
to go. We’ll come out of it all right.” 

“I hope so,” remarked Pete. “I wonder if we’ll get 
a chance to send word to the weather prophet ? He may 
be worried about the professor not coming back to where 
the rain-making wagon is.” 

“We’ll soon be out of this trouble,” predicted John 
again. “It wouldn’t do any good to send word to Mr. 
Donaldby. He can’t do as much as the professor can.” 

“Unless he could make it pour so hard that we could 
escape in the confusion,” said William, with a smile. 

“Well, I almost wish we were back in Freeport,” 
went on Pete. “Eh, Waggles?” 

The dog barked softly, and tried to hop about in the 
rear compartment of the wagon, which was hard work, 
as there was hardly room for it, and he was not very 
skillful, having his broken leg to hamper him. The 


Spider and Bateye 163 

injury was fast mending, however, and sometimes Wag- 
gles ventured to put a little weight on the sore paw. 

“I wonder what dad would think if he could see us 
now,” remarked William, as he looked at his brothers 
and himself, still attired as they were in their singing 
suits. ‘^He’d laugh at us.” 

^^And he’d laugh more if he could see this crowd,” 
continued Pete. “They want to see us locked up, I 
guess.” 

The wagon proceeded, the professor and one police- 
man being on the front seat, the other officers being in 
the for Avar d compartment, and the three Smith boys in 
the rear Avith Waggles. 

“Here Ave are,” announced the officer Avho had made 
the arrest. “This is the station house. Come on, get 
out, and Ave’ll see what the captain has to say.” 

With someAvhat apprehensive hearts the professor and 
the boys alighted, being at once surrounded by the 
throng, which the officers tried in vain to keep back. 

“Oh, if poor dad saw us now,” murmured William, 
and, though he could not know of their plight, Mr. 
Smith was thinking of his sons at that very moment, 
when they Avere being led into the station. 

The boys’ father had never ceased to worry since their 
strange disappearance, and, though he now understood 
the reason for their going aAvay, he Avas, nevertheless, 
alarmed. While the four prisoners are being arraigned 
before the police captain, I will take the opportunity to 
tell you something that Avas taking place in Freeport 
at the same time, and which had a bearing on the things 
that befell our heroes. 


Those Smith Boys 


164 

The receipt of the boys’ letter did not allay Mr. 
Smith’s uneasiness, save in a small measure. He knew 
they were safe, hut he had no idea where they were. 

Besides this he had other worries. The police had 
about given up all hope of ever getting back his three 
thousand dollars, or arresting the thief. The loss of 
the money caused business troubles to multiply for Mr. 
Smith. As he had told his sons, he owed a considerable 
sum, which he hoped to be able to pay from the sale of 
his land. That money, not being available, he had to 
consider other means. But he could find none, and, the 
very night of the arrest of the Smith boys, he was 
forced to go into bankruptcy, and arrange to sell his 
store at auction, for the benefit of his creditors. There 
was a prospect that he would lose all he had, for, not 
satisfied with taking the store, arrangements were made 
to sell all his other property, save a small apparently 
worthless piece of swamp-land. 

“Well, I am almost glad the boys are not here, to see 
what trouble I am in,” murmured Mr. Smith, as he 
signed the necessary papers. “I have no home for them 
to dwell in, and I must go to work myself to earn money 
to keep me. Oh, if only that three thousand dollars 
had not been stolen 1” 

But he knew there was no use in lamenting what 
had already happened, so, with a brave heart, he pre- 
pared to start over again, to build up his fortune. 

Hor was the continued absence of the Smith boys 
unnoticed in Breeport. Some persons said it was a 
good thing, and they were glad that the lads had gone, 
for, they said, they were always getting into mischief, 


Spider and Bateye 


165 

which was not strictly true. Members of the Board of 
Trade, who had in charge the matter of trying to induce 
the railroad to come to Freeport, were especially bitter 
against the boys. Some of the more hot-headed mem- 
bers, such as those who had advocated tarring and feath- 
ering, openly expressed the wish that the boys would 
never come back. 

hope they have a hard time, and that it will be a 
lesson to them,’^ said Jonathan Peterby, one of the most 
vindictive. ^^They have practically ruined the town. I 
hope they never come back to it.” 

For it seemed that all efforts to get the railroad to 
come to Freeport would be unavailing. Committee after 
committee was sent to see those in authority, but it was 
reported that all depended on Mr. Stanton, the surveyor, 
whose tent the boys had wrecked with the hand car. 
Mr. Stanton had reported to his superiors that it would 
be best for the line to go to Vandalia, and his superiors, 
trusting to his judgment, would make no change, in 
response to the numerous petitions from Freeport. 

^^Mr. Stanton had good reasons for desiring to make 
the road touch Vandalia,” said the president of the com- 
pany, ^^and we see no reason to change his plans.” 

^^But if we could only see Mr. Stanton,” said Mr. 
Peterby, ^^we could explain matters. We could tell him 
how sorry we are that those Smith boys made so much 
trouble, and how we will make certain that such a thing 
will never happen again. We are also ready to sub- 
scribe a sum for a new depot.” 

am sorry, gentlemen,” said the president, ^^but we 
do not feel at liberty to change Mr. Stanton’s plans. He 


i66 


Those Smith Boys 


has gone away for his health — to Mexico — and it will 
be some time before he will return. His nerves were 
much shattered by the accident which, I understand, 
some boys of your town caused.’^ 

“We don’t consider those boys residents of our town,’^ 
said Mr. Peterby hastily. “They have gone away, and 
we hope they will never come back.” 

“Ah, but they may come back,” said the president 
with a smile, and the committee could not admit but that 
this was true. “And they might do some other dam- 
age to our line, if it went to Freeport,” continued the 
president. “Ho, I think we shall go to Vandalia,” and 
nothing the Board of Trade could say would make him 
change his mind. So the Board of Trade continued to 
dislike the Smith boys more than ever. 

But if the majority of the grown-up population of the 
town was glad that the Smith boys had disappeared, 
there were at least two minor citizens who were not. 
They were Bateye J ones and Doc Lutken. 

“Say, ain’t it a shame they don’t come back,” 
remarked Doc to Bateye, one day. “There’s no fun 
since they left.” 

“That’s right,” admitted Doc. “It’s partly my fault, 
too; I shouldn’t have believed Spider Langdon.” 

“Well, you didn’t know he was stringing you.” 

“Ho, but I do now, and I’d like to get even with him.” 

“So would I ; and Beantoe Pudder too. Did you hear 
how they sneaked up, and watched J ohn. Bill and Pete 
go away?” 

“Yep. It was a mean trick all right. But maybe 
we’ll get a chance to get even with ’em.” 


Spider and Bateye 


167 


wish we would. 

The two friends of the Smith hoys strolled down the 
main street of Freeport. It was getting dusk, and it 
was the same evening that Mr. Smith’s difficulties forced 
him into bankruptcy, and also the same evening where, 
in far-off Pokeville, our heroes were being arrested. 

^^Say,” suddenly exclaimed Bateye, ain’t that Spider 
just ahead of us?” 

You’ve got better eyes than I have; you ought to be 
able to tell,” replied Boc. 

^Mt is him,” said Bateye very positively. ^^Say, let’s 
cut through Snedicker’s alley, and head him off. He’s 
going home.” 

‘^What’ll we do that for ?” 

We’ll give him a good thrashing for making up that 
fake story about the tar and feathers. I want to punch 
him good.” 

^Ht seems sort of mean for us two to tackle him alone.” 

That’s the only way we’ll ever catch him. He 
always keeps out of our way. I’ll attend to him alone, 
though. You can just come and look on.” 

“Well, I ought to lick him. It was me he told the 
yarn to.’^ 

“Ho, let me tackle him. I owe him something on 
account.” 

“What for?” 

“Oh, the last time I was in swimming he tied all my 
clothes in knots. I’ll get square with him now.” 

“All right. Com^ on. I’ll go with you.” 

Harry and Windsor hurried through the alley, and 
managed to come out on a rather lonely street, just a 


i68 


Those Smith Boys 


little ahead of Spider. He was sauntering along, all 
unconscious of what was in store for him, when he 
espied Doc and Bateje. He started, and was about to 
turn back, but they ran toward him. 

‘^Hold on there, Spider!^’ called Bateye. 

^^Whatchu want demanded the long-legged youth. 

^^We want to talk to you,’’ added Harry. 

“Well, speak quick; I’m in a hurry.” 

Spider was trying to edge past his enemies, but they 
saw the move, and spread out to prevent it. 

“I s’pose you thought you did a smart trick when 
you made Doc send the Smith boys away,” began Bateye. 

“Well, they went all right,” replied Spider with a 
grin. “Guess they won’t bother me any more.” 

“Don’t be too sure,” said Doc. “They’re coming 
back.” 

Spider started at this. Of course Harry was only 
speaking in general terms, for it might reasonably be 
expected that the Smith lads would come home some 
time. 

“Hu! I don’t care,” was what Spider said, after a 
pause, during which we was vainly looking about for a 
means of escape. 

“Maybe you will after I get through with you,” 
remarked Bateye, taking off his coat. 

“What — what you goin’ to do ?” asked Spider faintly. 

“I’m going to wallop you good and proper!” 
exclaimed Bateye. “Here, Doc, hold my coat.” 

“I — I didn’t do nothin’ to you,” whined Spider. 

“You didn’t eh? You didn’t tie my clothes up in 
knots, did you ? Eh ?” 


Spider and Bateye 


169 


‘^Well — ^well — Beantoe helped.” 

attend to Beantoe later. I’ve got you where I 
want you.” 

^^Aw, yes, you had to wait until you had Doe with 
you. You dasen’t tackle me alone,” sneered Spider. 

don’t, eh ?” exclaimed the lad who could see in the 
dark. ^‘Well, you just watch me.” 

He advanced toward Spider, who, seeing there was 
no escape, began to whimper. 

^‘How — now you lemme he !” he whined. 

will, in a few minutes — after I’ve given you some- 
thing to remind you that it ain’t safe to tie knots in my 
clothes, nor play tricks on my friends.” 

^^How — ^you lemme be!” cried Spider again. 

— I won’t never touch your clothes ag’in.” 

^‘1 guess you won’t!” said Bateye. ^Hlere! Where 
you running to ?” 

Spider had made a dive to get through an opening 
he saw between Harry and the side of a building. But 
he was not quite quick enough. Bateye sprang forward, 
and grasped him by the coat. Spider turned and struck 
at Windsor. His fist landed on Bateye’s chest. 

That’s better!” exclaimed Bateye fervently, as he 
nerved himself for the battle. don’t like to lick a 
feller who won’t fight back. Look out now. Spider, I’m 
going to finish you up good and proper !” 

Another second and they were at it hammer and 
tongs, while Doc Lutken looked joyfully on. He only 
wished he was in the place of Bateye, administering a 
well deserved drubbing to Spider. 

But Spider got all that was coming to him. He was a 


lyo Those Smith Boys 

strong, healthy lad, and no amateur with his fists, but 
Bateye, burning with righteous wrath, sailed in, and, 
when Spider turned and ignominiously ran to escape 
further punishment, his antagonist was satisfied that 
he had accomplished what he had set out to do. 

There,’’ remarked Bateye, with a sigh of content- 
ment, as he took his coat from Harry, “I guess he’ll 
remember that.” 

^^You certainly did put it all over him. Did he hit 
you much 

^^Haw; only a couple of times. Love taps. But I 
feel better now.” 

^^So do I. Guess he won’t be up to any more tricks 
right away. Come on, and I’ll blow you to ice cream 
soda.” 

That’s the stuff. I’m a bit warm,” and the two 
chums, very well satisfied with themselves, turned back 
to the main part of town, while Spider, nursing his 
wrath and bruises at the same time, kept on home, vow- 
ing vengeance. 


CHAPTER XXIII 


THE PEOFESSOR IN JAIL 

The four prisoners were taken before the police cap- 
tain. He heard the story told by the officer who had 
made the arrest, and, when the professor explained that 
he had taken out a license to vend his wares, the captain 
said: 

‘^That may he, but there is a special law in this town 
against any exhibitions of fortune telling, palmistry, 
or the like. You could not get a license for that.” 

^^That was due to my ignorance,” admitted Mr. Clat- 
ter. ^^But I am willing to stop that part of my 
performance.” 

^Ht is too late,” declared the police official. ^^You 
will have to appear before the judge in the morning. In 
the meantime I must lock you up.” 

^^Cant’ I get bail ?” asked the professor. 

^^Do you know any one in town who would go your 
security? I must have real estate bail in your case.” 

^^Xo, I donf know any one here, but I can put up the 
cash.” 

^^How much ?” 

^^At least five hundred dollars.” 

That is not enough. I will require a thousand. The 
city authorities wish to discourage such fakes as for- 
tune telling.” 


172 


Those Smith Boys 


I have an object in it.” 
doubt. No, you will have to be locked up.” 

I gave you five hundred dollars cash, and left my 
horse and wagon as additional security, would that do ?” 

^^No.” 

The police captain seemed very stern. 

^^Then,” said the professor with a smile, guess I 
will have to go to jail. It will not he the first time, but 
I shall he released in the morning.” 

^^DonT be too sure,” exclaimed the captain. 

“Are these hoys under arrest, also ?” asked the 
professor. 

“No, there is no charge against them. They only 
sang, I understand, and you had a license for that. You 
are the only one at fault, and I must lock you up.” 

“Then, hoys, you can go,” said Mr. Clatter, who did 
not seem much cast-down over his plight. John and his 
two brothers looked much relieved. 

“Shall we drive the wagon hack to where Mr. Don- 
aldhy is ?” asked Pete. 

“I wish you would. You can stay there all night. 
Ask Mr. Donaldhy to come to court in the morning. 
He may he able to he of service to me. And, hoys, don’t 
worry. A public character, such as I am, is often mis- 
understood, and subject to mistreatment. It will all 
come out right.” 

“Yes ; you’re a fine public character,” declared the 
police captain with a sneer. “I’d like a dozen such as 
you. I’m going to clean up this towm of fakers, and 
I’ve begun on you.” 

“All right, captain,” answered Mr. Clatter, good- 


The Professor in Jail 


173 

naturedly. We’ll see what the judge says in the 
morning.’’ 

The boys could not help feeling sorry for their 
acquaintance, who, in spite of his ways, had been a good 
friend to them. They saw him led away by the officers, 
and then Jolm started from the police station, followed 
by his brothers. 

Don’t you lads try any of that fortune telling busi- 
ness around here,” warned the captain, as they left. 
‘^You’ll find it isn’t healthy.” 

Outside the police station they found a large throng 
surrounding the wagon. They pushed their way through 
it, and, with Waggles safe in the forward compartment 
of the vehicle, the three lads got up on the seat. They 
soon distanced the throng, and, a little later, were on the 
outskirts of the place, where the weather prophet’s wagon 
was. Mr. Donaldby was somewhat alarmed by their long 
stay, and he was more than surprised when told what 
had happened. 

^^Of course I’ll go to court in the morning,” said the 
rain-maker. ^^But I’m afraid they’ll fine the professor 
quite heavily. He has no defense.” 

And that was what happened. The judge heard the 
case, the evidence being all against Mr. Clatter. He was 
convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of two hundred 
dollars, for, as the captain had said, there was a strict 
ordinance against anything like fortune telling in the 
town. The professor’s plea, that he was seeking trace 
of a certain man, by means of hand prints, was not 
accepted. 


174 Those Smith Boys 

“.Will you pay tLe fine, or go to jail ?” asked the 
judge. 

pay the fine/’ replied the professor, though it 
comes very hard for me. If you will allow me to go to 
my wagon, I’ll get the money.” 

The judge nodded his permission, and, with a police- 
man on either side of him, Mr. Clatter walked out to 
the gaudily painted vehicle, which the Smith hoys, in 
accordance with his instructions the night before, had 
driven up outside the police-station. 

^^This will make quite a hole in the money we have 
taken in during the last few days,” said the professor, as 
he began to open a small safe he had in the wagon. ^^But 
we’ll make some more, boys. Anyway, you shall have 
what I promised you.” 

He opened the iron box, reached his hand in, and 
then a blank look came over his face. 

^H’ve been robbed !” h^ exclaimed. 

^^Ha ! Ha !” laughed one of the policemen. That’s a 
good bluff!” 

A bluff !” repeated the professor. tell you I had 
over five hundred dollars in this safe! How it’s 
gone !” 

That’s a good joke,” added the other policeman. 
^^But it won’t work here.” 

Won’t work?” asked the professor, his usually red 
face now quite pale. 

“Ho, it won’t work. You thought you’d get a chance 
to escape, but you can’t do it. How come on back to the 
judge, and he’ll sentence you to jail ! , 

“One moment!” exclaimed the professor so earnestly, 


The Professor in Jail 175 

that the officers hesitated. Allow me to make a little 
further search.’^ 

They watched him closely while he took everything 
out of the safe, and looked all about the wagon. 

‘^The money was certainly there when I was 
arrested,’^ said Mr. Clatter. There was over five hun- 
dred dollars in hills. I put them in myself, and locked 
the safe.’’ 

Maybe some of these lads took it out for safe keep- 
ing,” said one of the policemen, with a jeer. 

Mr. Clatter glanced sharply at the Smith hoys. In 
spite of themselves they could not hut feel that they 
might he considered guilty. They knew the money was 
in the safe, and it had been in their possession all night. 
But a moment later Mr. Clatter’s words reassured them. 

^The hoys couldn’t have taken the money,” he said. 

“Why not asked the officer. 

“Because the safe was locked. It fastens in a peculiar 
manner, and they do not know the secret. Only a spe- 
cial key will open it, and I can see that the lock has 
been tampered with.” 

“Then who did take it?” asked the taller of the two 
officers, who was keeping a close watch on the professor. 

“That I don’t know,” was Mr. Clatter’s reply. 

“Maybe the other faker, who’s alongside there got 
it,” suggested the officer who had made the arrest. 

“What ? Duodecimo Donaldhy ?” cried the professor. 
“I would as soon suspect one of you.” 

“Well, if you can’t pay the fine, it’s the jail for 
yours,” said the tall officer with a sneer. “Come on 
hack before the judge.” 


Those Smith Boys 


176 

The professor, who plainly showed his confusion at 
being robbed, was holding a bundle of papers which he 
had taken from the safe when he made his search for 
the money. Idly he turned them over. As he did so 
so he uttered an exclamation. 

What’s the matter ? Did you just happen to think 
that you left the cash home in the chicken coop asked 
one of the officers with a laugh. 

Mr. Clatter did not answer. Instead he held out to 
John and his brothers, the bundle of papers. 

There, on the white surface of the top one was a black 
mark. And it was the mark of a man’s palm. 

^^The thumbless man!” exclaimed Mr. Clatter. “He 
has taken my five hundred dollars ! See 1” 

And he pointed to the imprint of a left hand with 
the thumb missing — a clue left by the daring thief. 


CHAPTER XXIV 


A NEW PARTNEBSHIP 

For a few moments the surprising discovery held them 
all dumb. The boys, the professor and the weather 
prophet stared at the imprint of the thumbless hand. 
Even the police officers seemed impressed. 

^‘How could he get the money from the safe ? Where 
did he get a chance to come so near the wagon asked 
John in bewilderment. 

The professor thought for a moment. 

think I have it,” he said. ^^Our man was one 
of that gang of tramps who held us up.” 

^Put I didn’t notice him,” objected William. 
think I would have noticed him if he had been there.” 

“Xo,” said Mr. Clatter. “More than likely you 
would not. If he was with the tramps, which I strongly 
suspect, he was so disguised, or had so altered his 
appearance that you would not know him.” 

“But how could he get into the wagon without us see- 
ing him?” asked Pete. “Xone of the tramps came in. 
The bomb went off too quick for them.” 

“They were crowded around my wagon,” said the 
professor. “We were so excited that we didn’t notice 
closely. The safe stands near a window in the side, as 
you can see. All the thumbless man would have to do 
would be to put his hand in, open the safe, and take out 


178 Those Smith Boys 

the money. In so doing he left his mark on this bundle 
of papers.’’ 

“But he must have had ink or something to make his 
hand black, said John. 

“Soot from a fire they built in the woods, said 
Mr. Clatter. “His hand was grimy from that.” 

“But if the safe was locked,” added Pete. How 
could ” 

“It wasn’t locked !” exclaimed the professor quickly. 
“I remember now. I had left it unlocked for I intended 
to get some money out to pay for the license in Poke- 
ville. I took out enough money for that, leaving the 
rest in plain sight, and I didn’t lock the safe, as I had 
some papers I wanted to put in, after I had shown them 
to Mr. Honaldby. Then after I had shown theni to him 
I forgot to lock the safe. I remember plainly now. My 
strong box, with all my money in was open when the 
tramps halted us, and this thumhless man slipped up, 
reached in through the window and took the bills. 

“After the hold-up,” went on the professor, “I locked 
the safe in a hurry, and I was so anxious to get away 
from that vicinity, that I never thought to look for my 
money. I had no occasion to unlock my safe until just 
now, as I had enough cash in my pocket to pay for the 
license. Then came my arrest.” 

It was plain enough now, how it had happened, after 
the professor had explained. The boys looked worried, 
but they were glad they had been cleared of the faintest 
suspicion. 

“Well, if you’re done talking, we’ll take you back to 
the judge,” said one of the policemen, ^IHe can’t sit 


A New Partnership 179 

there all day, waiting for you to come back with your 
fine. You haven’t got the money ; have you 

“Yo,” said the professor sadly, haven’t.’^ 

‘‘And you don’t know where to get it 

“Yo — not now.’^ 

“Didn’t you take in some last night asked the 
weather prophet, who seemed much worried over the 
plight of his friend. 

“Some, yes. About thirty dollars,“ replied Mr. 
Clatter. “I have it here,” and he took some hills from 
his pocket. “I don’t suppose the judge would accept 
this on account, and allow me to go out and earn the 
rest ; would he ?” he asked the officer. 

“You’d better ask him,” replied one, with a sneer. 
“Come on, we can’t stand here all day.” 

“Well, I suppose there is no hope for it,” remarked 
the professor despondently. All his gay manner was 
gone. His gaudy clothes seemed to be of the hues of 
funeral garments, and the red and black vest might as 
well have been a sober gray. 

“Haven’t you any — any friends who would lend you 
the money?” asked John. 

“Hot a soul,” replied the professor. “You and Mr. 
Donaldby are the only friends I have, and you know 
your own resources. I guess I’ll have to work out my 
fine in jail.” 

“What will you do with your horse and wagon?” 
asked Pete. 

“I’ll take care of that,” replied Mr. Donaldby. “I 
can put it in a stable kept by a friend of mine. He can 
use the horse to pay for the board.” 


i8o 


Those Smith Boys 


“Poor Pactolus/^ murmured the professor, looking 
at his sleek steed. “You are far enough off from the 
golden river now. I wish you could go off by yourself 
and find it for me. Then you could bring me back the 
money to pay my fine. But there, the time will soon 
pass, and I shall be free again, and able to give to the 
long suffering public my Peerless Permanent Pain Pre- 
ventative, my Papid Eobust Eesolute Eesolvent, that 
will remove spots from linen silk, cotton, wool or mixed 
goods. I see you have a spot on your coat,’^ he added, 
turning to one of the policemen, “if you will allow me 
to apply a bit of my Spotless Saponifier I will, in a 
trice, remove it.” 

It was a return of the professor^s old manner. He 
seemed to brighten up. 

“Now don’t get gay,” advised the officer. “You come 
back to court with me, and take your own medicine.” 

“I am sorry for you boys,” went on Mr. Clatter. “I 
hoped to be able to keep you with me all summer. As 
it is, we will have to part. But, there, I can pay you a 
week’s salary, at any rate.” 

He held out three five dollar bills to John. 

“Take it with my blessing,” he said with a smile. 
“If you would also care for some of the Preventative, 
or the Saponifier or the Eesolvent, why, help yourselves. 
I advise you to go home. I am sorry to have dragged 
you into this.” 

“We don’t want that money,” said John. “You keep 
it to buy yourself something while in jail.” 

“Tut-tut!” exclaimed to professor. “I will not need 
it. I will only be jail a few months at most, and I can 


A New Partnership 


i8i 


earn more money. But I regret this misadventure. 
Duodecimo, my good friend, if you will kindly drive the 
wagon around to a livery stable, and arrange to have 
Pactolus work for his board, at the same time mention- 
ing that, someday, he may walk into a river that will 
change everything to gold, I will be exceedingly obliged 
to you.’’ 

^^Say, he’s crazy,” remarked one policeman to the 
other. What’s he mean about a horse walking into a 
golden river.” 

“You can search me,” answered his comrade earn- 
estly. “Come on here, professor, the judge wants you.” 

“Directly,” answered Mr. Clatter. “Good-bye, 
boys.” 

“Say,” suddenly remarked William, who had appar- 
ently been struggling with some idea during the last 
few minutes, “I’ve got a scheme.” 

“AVhat is it?” asked Pete quickly. 

“Why couldn^t we take the professor’s wagon, and 
continue the business?” inquired William. “If Mr. 
Donaldby would go along with us, I think we could 
manage it. We know how to sell the stuff, and we could 
sing, and draw a crowd. What do you say, fellows ?” 

He had addressed himself to his brothers, but it was 
the professor who answered. 

“Good! The very thing!” he cried. “I thought of 
it, but I did not like to mention it. Of course you can 
do it. You will, perhaps, not be able to sell as much as 
I do, but you can do well I am sure. Take my outfit, 
travel about the country, aiid — and ” 

“We’ll try to make enough to pay your fine,” finished 


i 82 


Those Smith Boys 


John. a good plan, Bill, and we’ll do it, if Mr. 

Donaldby will help us.” 

“Of course I will,” answered the weather phophet. 
“I can travel with you, and perhaps I may find a com- 
munity suffering for lack of rain. If we do I can add 
to the treasury.” 

“Then,” said the professor joyfully, “I shall not 
worry any more. Here, take all this money,” and he 
thrust the remainder of the thirty dollars into John’s 
hand. “I’ll not need it in jail. The town will have to 
support me. Ah! I am a thousand years younger. 
Mercurio, do you attend well to my young friends. 
Set out the magic table for them. Guard them well. 
Ha! This is a happy turn to affairs. Pactolus, once 
more you will be on the road, searching for the golden 
river. Waggles — Ah, I must get a better name for that 
dog — Waggles, be kind to Scratch. How boys, away 
with you. I shall await your return with the golden 
key that will release me from this dungeon. Duodecimo, 
you will help my young friends ; will you not ?” 

“Of course, Theophilus.” 

“Thanks. How then, guards, lead me to the darkest 
cell in yonder castle ! It will be bright with hope !” 

“Say,” drawled one of the officers, “are there many 
more like this where you come from? If there are, I 
don’t want to see ’em.” 

“I am the only one,” replied the professor with a 
bow. 

“Do you want us to travel any particular route?” 
asked John. 

“You will find a route all mapped out in the safe,” 


A New Partnership 


183 

said Mr. Clatter, waving his hand toward the wagon. 

Follow that. Mr. Donaldby will advise you. And 
now, good luck! I know you will succeed. Write to 
me occasionally, and — and if you can find that man 
without a thumb ” 

We’ll not let him get away!” exclaimed Pete. 

They had a double motive now in seeking for the 
mysterious thief. 

^^You will find food enough for man and beast, in 
the chariot to last a week or more,” went on the pro- 
fessor. ^^Use your own judgment. Do the best you 
can, and now — farewell — a long farewell.” 

He waved his hand gaily to the boys, but there was 
an air of dejection about him, in spite of his gay 
words. 

The policemen led him back to the courtroom. The 
boys lingered only long enough to hear their gaudy 
but true-hearted friend sentenced to two months in jail, 
and then, mounting to the wagon, they drove off with 
Waggles, while the weather prophet followed in the 
rear with his rain-making wagon, and a curious crowd 
ran along in the streets. 


CHAPTEE XXV 


THE DROUTH 

^^Say,” remarked Wiliam to his brothers, who were 
on the seat with him, ^Hhings are certainly happening 
to us.’’ 

They’ve been happening ever since that hand car 
ran away,” added John. ^^By the way, we ought to 
write dad another letter. Let’s tell him something of 
what we’re doing.” 

^^We ought to let him know where he can find us,” 
said Pete. ‘‘Maybe he’d like to write us a letter. I 
certainly would like to hear from him.” 

“So would I,” spoke John, “but if we’re traveling 
around the country I don’t see how we can get letters.” 

“Unless we know when we’re going to be in a certain 
town and could tell him to write on ahead,” said 
William. 

“We’re never sure where we’re going to be,” ob- 
jected John. “I guess dad’s all right.” 

If they had only known what was going on at Free- 
port, how soon would they have returned! But they 
did not know, and they were destined to have many ad- 
ventures yet, which never would have occurred but for 
their thoughtlessness in setting that hand car going. 

They drove on, and the crowd which was following 
the two wagons, growing tired, and seeing that nothing 


The Drouth 


185 

unusual was likely to happen, began to disperse. The 
travelers came to a halt under a clump of trees, on a 
quiet road in the suburbs of the town. 

“Well, Mr. Donaldby, what do you think we had 
better do first?” asked John. “Shall we stay here or 
push on ? We are pretty well known here, and we might 
draw big crowds. Besides we might have a chance to 
capture the thumbless man.” 

“I think we had better go to the next town that is on 
the professor’s list,” replied the weather prophet. “It 
is true that our advent here has been pretty well adver- 
tised, but I am afraid the police will make trouble for 
us. Besides, I can not exercise my profession here. 
They don’t need rain.” 

“But wouldn’t we have a good chance to capture the 
thief?” asked William. “He can’t be very far away if 
he’s with that gang of tramps.” 

“I don’t believe he’s there now,” said the prophet. 
“He and they, very likely, have fled to some other part 
of the country. You are just as likely to find them in 
the next town, as here.” 

“That thumbless man seems to have a grudge against 
us,” observed Pete. “He appears to be following us.” 

“Maybe we’re following him,” remarked John. 
“But there’s one thing we can’t do.” 

“What?” inquired Pete. 

“We can’t try that palmistry scheme. We’ll be liable 
to arrest if we do.” 

“That’s so,” agreed William. “We’ll have to wait 
until the professor gets out of jail, and then he can tell, 
in each town. we get to, whether it will be safe.” 


i86 


Those Smith Boys 


“Not only tliat, but we don’t know how to tell for- 
tunes,” said John. 

“Oh, I could manage that part,” replied the prophet 
with a smile. “I used to he in partnership with the 
professor. It is not difficult. A little knowledge of 
human nature is all that is required, and human nature 
is the same the world over. We may try the palmistry 
game if we find it safe, though I don’t take much stock 
in it to locate the thief.” 

Neither did the hoys, but it gave them something to 
work on, slender as the clue was. 

They had dinner together beside the two wagons. 
Waggles and Scratch eating off the same plate, such 
good friends were they now. The two horses munched 
the roadside grass, and drank their fill from a little 
brook. 

“Batterhy is the next town,” announced John, as he 
looked at the list the professor had made. “That's five 
miles away. Shall we start, and work that to-night ?” 

“Might as well,” agreed Pete. “Let’s see how we 
make out at selling the Peerless Permanent Pain Pre- 
ventative and the other things.” 

“Who’ll play the banjo for us to sing?” asked 
William. 

“I will,” answered the prophet. “I am almost as 
good a player as the professor.” 

And so he proved that evening, when the gasolene 
torches were lighted, and the little performance begun. 
The boys sang well, and quite a crowd of the citizens 
of Batterby collected. The boys did a fairly good busi- 
ness, though they could not keep up the running fire 


The Drouth 


187 

of talk, as could the professor. However the prophet 
produced a diversion by doing some slight of hand tricks, 
which caught the fancy of the throng, and when business 
was over the hoys found they had taken in seventeen 
dollars, which was about half of the usual night’s busi- 
ness for Mr. Clatter. 

^^Hot so bad,” observed John, as they put the money 
in the safe, the secret of which had been entrusted to 
them by the professor. 

^^Ho, but it will take us nearly the two months to 
make two hundred dollars clear at this rate,” said 
Pete. 

^^Maybe we’ll do better after a while,” suggested 
, Willi am. 

^^Let us hope so,” rejoined John. 

They traveled on the next morning, working a small 
town during the afternoon, and reaching a large one at 
night, where trade was good. There, learning that there 
was no ordinance against palmistry, the weather prophet 
tried his hand at telling fortunes. Many of the black- 
ened slips of paper were handed in by the crowd, but 
all the palms showed impressions of thumbs, none being 
missing. 

hardly think the thief will be rash enough to have 
his fortune told, even if he does venture to gather in 
the crowd about the wagon,” said Mr. Donaldby as they 
went into camp that night. 

For a week or more the new partners traveled to- 
gether, doing a fairly good business. The boys wrote a 
letter to their father telling him something of their 
adventures, but giving him no address where he could 


i88 


Those Smith Boys 


reach them. They also communicated with Mr. Clatter 
in the jail, assuring him of their success. 

“I only wish I could get a chance to bring rain,’’ 
said the weather prophet one hot day, as they were 
traveling along a country road. could earn at least 
a hundred dollars that way, and it would be half of my 
former partner’s fine. But they seem to have plenty 
of moisture everywhere we go.” 

was just noticing that it seems to be getting a 
little dryer in this locality,” observed John. ^^By the 
dust in the road they don’t seem to have had rain here 
in a month.” 

believe you’re right,” said Mr. Donaldby. ^Mt is 
quite dry here. Perhaps I may get a chance to use my 
apparatus. Let’s hurry on to town. What is the name 
of the next place ?” 

^^Coleton,” answered William, after a look at the list 
the professor had left. ^Mt’s the centre of quite a farm- 
ing community,” he added, for Mr. Clatter made notes 
concerning each town he expected to reach. 

^^That will just suit,” declared the prophet. 

They reached Coleton that afternoon, and the first 
question Mr. Donaldby asked was : 

“Has it been dry here 

“Dry ?” repeated an old man in front of the postoffice. 
“Say, stranger if it was any worse we’d blow away, 
sure. We haven’t had any rain in nigh onto six weeks, 
and what crops is left ain’t wuth shucks.” 

“Would rain now, help you any?” asked the prophet. 

“Would it? Say, stranger, don’t aggravate us. 
We’ve been lookin’ fer rain clouds so long that half of 


The Drouth 


189 

US is cross-eyed, and tlie rest of us is squintin’. Rain ? 
I’d give a ten dollar note right now for even a good 
sized shower. My corn is all burned up, my potatoes 
ain’t growin’, an’ my beans is nowhere.” 

“At last,” murmured Mr. Donaldby, “I seem to have 
struck the right place. Friends,” he continued, address- 
ing the throng in front of the postoffice, “allow me to 
inform you that, if you wish, you may have rain within 
twenty-four hours, and the drouth will be broken.” 

“What’s that, stranger ?” said the man who had com- 
plained about dry weather. “Say it ag’in, an’ say it 
slow, please.” 

“I repeat that I can bring rain for you within twenty- 
four hours,” declared Mr. Donaldby. 

“Who are you ?” asked several. 

“Duodecimo Donaldby, at your service,” replied the 
prophet with a low bow. “I am a student of the 
weather, and I am able, with the aid of the latest 
scientific apparatus, to produce rain when I wish. If 
you desire it, and will pay my price, I will cause it to 
rain.” 

“What’s your price, Mr. Donaldby?” inquired the 
postmaster. 

“Two hundred dollars,” was the answer. “It may 
sound high, but ” 

“Say, stranger!” exclaimed the man who had first 
spoken, “you make it rain, and we’ll pay you the two 
hundred dollars all right. Won’t we, neighbors ?” 

“That’s what we will!” came the fervent answer, as 
the throng crowded about the weather prophet. 


CHAPTEK XXVI 


THE DELUGE 

^^What sort of a machine you got thar, stranger?’’ 
asked one of the men. 

‘^It makes rain, in the only scientific way that mois- 
ture can be produced,” replied the prophet. ^^You all 
know how it always rains after the Fourth of July, 
because of the explosions, and the gases from powder in 
the air. The rain clouds are shattered and the rain 
comes down.” 

^^It sure does,” said the postmaster. “IVe noticed it 
time and ag’in.” 

^^That is my system,” went on Mr. Donaldby. 
shoot dynamite bombs into the air, by means of my 
mortar; they burst, and, in a short time, it rains.” 

^^What becomes of ’em, after you shoot ’em up ?” in- 
quired a little wizened up man. 

‘^Becomes of what?” 

^^Them bombs.” 

^^Why they are blown apart.” 

Mightn’t the pieces fall on us ?” 

^‘Xot a bit of it. The pieces are so small you can’t 
see ’em. Xow who is in authority here ? Who can I 
make arrangements with ?” 

‘T am the chairman of the Selectmen,” replied the 
man who had first spoken. ^^My name’s Plum — Gideon 


The Deluge 191 

Plum. You say you want two hundred dollars for 
makin’ it rain 

^^Thafs my price. You know my apparatus is quite 
expensive.’^ 

^^Oh, that’s all right. I guess it’ll be wuth two hun- 
dred dollars to us to have this here drouth busted. 
Eh, feller citizens ?” 

“That’s right,” came the answer. 

“How soon can you start in?” asked Mr. Plum. 

“Eight away. As soon as you decide to pay me my 
money.” 

“We ain’t goin’ to give you any money until you start 
up at least a sprinkle,” said Mr. Plum. 

“Ho, I don’t expect you to. I’ll begin my prepara- 
tions, and all you have to do is to agree to pay the two 
hundred dollars when it rains.” 

“Oh, we’ll do that all right.” 

Hearly all the town Selectmen were present and 
Gideon Plum called them in conference. It was de- 
cided that a good rain was worth all Mr. Donaldby 
asked for it, and, as the Selectmen knew many farmers 
would gladly pay a share, it was voted to let the weather 
prophet go ahead. 

“All right,” said Mr. Donaldby, when the decision 
was reached. “I’ll just take my wagon out in the open 
fields, where the explosions will not frighten any horses, 
and start in.” 

“Shall we go with you?” asked Pete. “Can we 
help?” 

“Ho, I don’t know’s you can,” replied the prophet. 
“I’m used to working alone. I wouldn’t bring the pro- 


192 


Those Smith Boys 


fessor’s horse too close. He might get frightened, as 
I’m going to use pretty heavy charges, and he might run 
away. Better stay back here in the village. Ill go out 
on the outskirts.’^ 

‘^Do you really think you can make it rain asked 
John. 

They were in the prophet’s wagon then, away from 
the general crowd, wliich was gazing curiously at the 
two odd vehicles. 

think so,” replied Mr. Donaldby. ‘‘Let me take 
a look at the sky.” 

He peered up into the brazen heavens through a piece 
of smoked glass. 

“There are some cirrus-cutnulus formations over in 
the west,” he murmured. “I also notice a few stratus 
clouds. A nimbus one would be more to my liking, but 
we can’t always have what we want. I guess it will 
do.” 

“Can we come and watch you?” asked William. 

“Yes, but keep a safe distance back. There is no 
telling what might happen.” 

The prophet made his preparations. The boys, hav^ 
ing arranged to leave their outfit in a farmer’s barn, 
followed the crowd on foot to the place where the 
bombardment of the sky was to begin. In view of the 
interest in the rain-making the boys had decided not to 
try to sell any of the patent medicine or soap. 

“I’ll make enough to get the professor out of jail,” 
said Mr. Donaldby, as he drove off to the fields. “There 
will be no need for you boys to exert yourselves.” 

“Are you all ready to begin?” asked Mr. Plum, at 


The Deluge 193 

the head of a big throng, which had trooped out to wit- 
ness the experiment. 

‘^All ready/’ replied the professor. 

^‘ISTow we’d like a sort of gentle rain, went on Mr. 
Plum. ^^We don’t want a cloud-burst nor a water- 
spout. What we need is a nice, gentle, soaking shower, 
to last about twenty-four hours. That will just save 
what crops are left. But if we get a wash-out rain, it 
won’t do us much good.” 

“You shall have some nice, gentle showers,” 
promised Mr. Donaldby. “Just what you want. I’ll 
so regulate my shots that you will have no cloud- 
bursts.” 

The crowd looked on anxiously. Kain meant a great 
deal to that farming community, and they had ex- 
pected it so long, and had even prayed so earnestly for 
it, that their hopes were well nigh exhausted. 

“Yow you’d better stand back a little farther,” said 
the prophet, as he appeared in the door of his big 
wagon. 

The crowd surged back. From the vehicle could be 
heard the hum of the gasolene engine, as it began to 
operate the air pump. This went on for several 
minutes. 

“Does it make much of a noise, young fellers?” 
asked Mr. Plum of the Smith brothers. “I s’pose you’re 
sort of assistants to him ?” 

“Well, sort of,” admitted John, not wishing to go 
into all the details. “Yes, it makes quite a noise,” he 
added as he recalled the bomb that had scattered the 
tramps. 


Those Smith Boys 


194 

Suddenly there was a muffled sound, as the com- 
pressed air mortar was discharged. A small, black ob- 
ject shot toward the sky. Up and up it went, getting 
smaller every instant, until it had become but a 
speck. 

Then came an explosion that seemed to shake the very 
ground. The crowd jumped, involuntarily, but the 
prophet’s horse, which was evidently used to the noise, 
never stirred. 

^^Gosh! That ought to bring rain,” murmured Mr. 
Plum. 

‘^Look at that black cat!” exclaimed some one in the 
throng, as Scratch scrambled up on top of the wagon. 

“A black cat brings good duck,” observed a red haired 
man. guess it’ll rain all right.” 

Once more came the muffled report of the air mortar, 
and once more the black bomb shot skyward. Then 
came another tremendous explosion, that made the 
ground tremble. 

“How many’s he going to send off ?” asked Mr. Plum 
of William. 

“I don’t know. Maybe a dozen or more.” 

“Gosh ! Then I’m going to git farther back,” said the 
chairman of the Selectmen. “I’ll be deaf if I stay 
here.” 

He and several others moved away. The prophet 
continued to shoot his bombs into the air at regular in- 
tervals. It became tiresome after an hour or so, and the 
crowd began to disperse. 

All the afternoon the bombardment continued. Then, 
toward dusk, some clouds began to gather in the sky. 


The Deluge 195 

Tiddidlicums exclaimed Mr. Plum, be- 
lieve he’s going to make it shower 

The clouds became blacker. The bombs continued 
their deafening racket. 

‘^We’d better get the money ready,” went on Mr. 
Plum. 

shall fire three more shots,” said the professor, 
“and then the ran will come. Those who have no um- 
brellas had better start for home.” 

“Oh, we’re willin’ to git wet,” declared Mr. Plum. 
“We ain’t felt a drop of rain in so long we don’t know 
what it means.” 

Three more bombs were discharged. There was a 
little wait. The prophet seemed very sure of what 
would happen. He stopped his engine, and prepared to 
drive his wagon to town. He had gotten as far as the 
main highway, the crowd following in curiosity, when a 
few scattering drops began to fall. 

“Here she comes !” cried Mr. Plum. 

“I told you so,” replied the prophet. “I’ll take the 
money now.” 

Mr. Plum was about to hand it over, when there 
came a sudden rushing, roaring sound, and a fierce wind 
sprang up. It grew very black, and then the very 
heavens seemed to open. 

Prom the sky there poured a deluge of rain. It was 
as if a cloud had burst. In great drops, that seemed 
like hail stones, the water came down. Every one was 
wet through in a moment. Muddy rivulets began to 
form in the road. The crowd broke and ran, the Smith 
boys following. 


Those Smith Boys 


196 

Faster and faster; harder and harder came the rain. 
The highway was now a small brook, thick with mud. 
In the fields the soil could be seen to be washing away 
from the hills of corn and the rows of potatoes. 

It rained as it had never rained before. 

Duodecimo Donaldby peered from the half opened 
rear door of his wagon. He seemed alarmed about 
something. 

^Tt^s a cloud-burst! It^s a water-spout!^’ yelled sev- 
eral in the crowd. They had taken refuge beneath some 
trees, such shelter as they afforded, however, being very 
slight. 

That’s right!” cried Gideon Plum. “He’s busted 
open a cloud. This will wash out what few crops we 
have left.” 

“He’s spoiled everything !” exclaimed another man. 

“I made it rain. I can’t help it because it rains too 
hard,” said the prophet. “It will stop soon.” 

He had to shout to be heard above the noise of the 
storm. 

“Stop!” repeated Mr. Plum. “It won’t stop until 
it’s washed the whole town away! You said you’d 
bring some gentle showers, and you’ve brought a flood ! 
'A deluge !” 

“I — I couldn’t help it,” stammered Mr. Donaldby. 
“I did the best I could.” 

“The best you could!” cried Mr. Plum. “You sent 
up too many bombs ! You ought to have known better. 
You’ve spoiled everything!” 

Harder and harder came the rain. It was like a 
sheet of water now. The road had disappeared from 


The Deluge 


197 


sight. Paster than the parched ground could drink up 
the water, it fell. The fields were becoming lakes, and 
the valuable soil was being washed away from the farm 
and garden products. 

“He’s ruined everything!” shouted several. 

“That’s what he has,” declared Mr. Plum. “He 
ought to pay us damages 1” 

“Make him!” cried the red-haired man, whose locks 
were plastered all about his head. “I’ll arrest him. 
I’m constable here.” 

“That’s right ! Arrest him !” was the cry. 

“And we were to pay him two hundred dollars!” 
said Mr. Plum. “Why he’s done five hundred dollars 
worth of damage with his old machine.” 

“Arrest him, and make him pay!” was the shout 
again. “He’s a faker !” 

Duodecimo Donaldby looked troubled. He had 
brought more rain than he bargained for. He could not 
understand it. But he saw that he had an angry crowd 
to deal with. Whether his bombs had produced the 
delgue, or whether it had come as a natural effect mat- 
tered not. * The farmers were worse off than during the 
drought. 

The weather prophet did some rapid thinking. Then 
he quickly closed and bolted the rear door of his 
wagon. Hext he made his way forward, and gathered 
up the reins. He spoke sharply to his horse. 

The animal pricked up its ears. It started forward. 
Mr. Donaldby made a quick turn on the road that was 
now a brook. 


Those Smith Boys 


198 

“He’s going to run away !” cried Mr. Plum. “Catch 
him! Stop him!’^ 

The crowd saw what was happening. They rushed 
from under the trees, and hurried toward the wagon of 
the weather prophet. He whipped up his horse. The 
wheels spun around in the muddy water. 

A moment later he was beyond pursuit, and a fiercer 
hurst of the storm, when the rain descended so heavily 
that one could not see fifty feet ahead, drove the crowd 
back to shelter. 

^^He’s running away,’^ said William to his brothers. 

“I guess it was the best thing he could do,^^ observed 
John. ^^This is an angry crowd. 

“And we’re left alone to manage our wagon,” added 
Pete. 

“Oh, I guess we can do it,” said John. “I hope 
they don’t think we had anything to do with the rain.” 

Mr. Plum strode over to where the Smith brothers 
were standing beneath a maple tree. 

“Do you know where that fake weather man has 
gone ?” he demanded. 

“Ho, sir,” replied John. 

“Because if you did,” said the chairman of the Board 
of Selectmen, “I’d telegraph on ahead and have him 
arrested. A gentle shower ! I wonder what he thinks 
a gentle shower is ?” and he waded back through the 
mud and water to join his neighbors. Meanwhile the 
rain continued to pour down in a deluge. 


CHAPTEK XXYII 


GOING IT ALONE 

you know what I think observed William to 
his brothers, as they stood under the tree, and watched 
some of the more daring of the population of Coleton 
wade back to town. 

^AYhat do you think asked John, as he moved so 
that a little stream which poured down among the 
leaves, might shift from running over his left shoulder. 

^‘Yes, Bill is always thinking,” said Pete sarcasti- 
cally. 

think the weather prophet didn^t have any more 
to do with this rain than we did,” said William. 

believe you are more than half right,” agreed 
John. ^^It was about due to arrive, and it came just as 
he finished his bomb shooting. But that doesn’t an- 
swer the question about what we are going to do.” 

There’s only one thing to do, as I see it,” stated 
Pete, as he tried to stand with both feet on a small 
stone, so that he might raise himself out of a puddle 
of water. 

What’s that?” asked William. 

“Well, we’ve got to go it alone now. We can’t leave 
the professor’s wagon here. We owe him something, 
and we ought to try to get the money to pay his fine,” 


200 


Those Smith Boys 


‘^Good for you, Sawed-off!” exclaimed John. “WeJl 
not go back on the professor !” 

“Of course, we may get in trouble about this storm,” 
went on Pete. 

“Trouble? How?” 

“Why they may think we were in partnership with 
Mr. Donaldby, and want us to pay for the damage. 
He’s a regular faker when it comes to weather.” 

“He is,” agreed William. “So is the professor, but 
they were both good to us. I guess Mr. Donaldby is 
pretty well scared. I doubt if we see him again.” 

“hJ’ot very likely,” remarked John. “Well, what 
shall we do ; go back to town, or stay here until it stops ?” 

“It doesn’t look as if it would ever stop,” replied 
Pete, trying to balance himself on the small stone. He 
slipped, tried to recover his balance, and, the next mom- 
ent went sprawling into a big puddle of water. 

“Here ! Quit that I” yelled William. 

“Hel— up! Blub! Glug! Ub! Urn !” Pete cried. 

He floundered about, sending the muddy water in a 
shower over his brothers. 

“What you trying to do. Sawed-off ?” demanded John. 

“Hel — up me u — u — u — up!” cried Pete, still 
splashing about. 

“Get up yourself! It isn’t more than a foot deep,” 
was William’s answer, and at that Pete managed to 
find his feet. He arose, a sorry looking sight, for he 
was covered with yellow mud. 

“Ha ! Ha !” laughed John, and William joined him. 

“Hu ! Think it’s funny, don’t you ?” asked Pete, as 
he removed a chunk of clay from his left ear. “I wish 


Going it Alone 


201 


you’d been down there. It was so slippery that every 
time I tried to stand up I fell down.” 

You’d better go stand out in the rain and get 
washed off,” advised William. Your suit looks as if it 
was dyed yellow.” 

“Yes, I s’pose it’s spoiled now,” sighed Pete, “and the 
only one I have with me.” 

He decided that William’s advice was good, so he 
walked from beneath the tree where the rain had a bet- 
ter chance at him. It did not take long for the drench- 
ing down-pour to remove most of the traces of the soil, 

By that time the deluge had begun to slacken. Al- 
ready most of the people had returned to town, and the 
boys soon followed them. On every side were signs of 
the ruin caused by the storm. What crops had been 
left by the drouth were washed from the soil. 

“About the only good this did,” observed John, “was 
to fill the rain barrels, and settle the dust.” 

“Dust,” remarked Pete. “There won’t be any dust 
around this section for a year.” 

They reached the barn where they had left the medi- 
cine wagon, paid the farmer what they had agreed to, 
and, dripping wet as they were, got in, called to Wag- 
gles who had remained at the farm house, and drove off. 

“Maybe we ought to stay in town and try to sell 
some medicine,” suggested William. 

“Hot much,” replied John. “They’re so mad they’d 
mob us. They’re wetter than Mr. Stanton was when 
the water tank upset in his tent. Come on, we’ll get 
as far away as we can before dark. Then we’ll stop 
and have supper.” 


202 


Those Smith Boys 


^'And dry off,” added Pete. as wet as a 

drowned rat without a tail.” 

Why without a tail ?” asked William. 

Because a rat without a tail can’t swim very good, 
and he’d get wetter than the other kind. Bill.” 

^^Oh,” said William. 

It was slow going, because of the mud from the 
storm, but just as it got dark they came to the outskirts 
of a small town. They decided not to enter, but to 
camp by the roadside, and they soon had the stove going, 
and a meal in preparation. They removed as much of 
their clothes as they could, and put them to dry inside 
the wagon. 

They felt better after supper, and crawled into the 
bunks with a feeling of thankfulness that they had a 
good warm place to stay, and did not have to worry 
where breakfast was coming from. 

hope this is the end of our bad luck,” said Pete, 
as he was falling asleep. 

“That wasn’t bad luck — that deluge,” declared John. 
“It was likely to happen anywhere. I^ow we’ve got a 
chance to show what we can do alone.” 

“Um,” murmured Pete, for he was half asleep by 
that time. 

A bright, clear, beautiful, summer morning greeted 
the Smith boys when they awoke. The only sign of the 
storm was in the damp, moist earth, for the rain did not 
seem to have been so violent here. They prepared 
breakfast and then drove into town, their wagon attract- 
ing the usual attention. 

Pollowing the plan of the professor, they secured a 


Going it Alone 203 

license to sell the medicine and soap, resolving not to 
attempt the palmistry. 

‘^But how are we going to draw a crowd?” asked 
Pete, as they were eating their dinner along a secluded 
highway, and discussing plans for the night. 

^^By singing, of course,” replied John. 

^^But who’s to play the banjo ?” 

^^Oh, I guess I can manage a few chords,” spoke Wil- 
liam. got the professor to show me one day, and it’s 
easy. Come on, we’ll have a practice.” 

His brothers agreed, and they started in. At first 
William could not get the banjo in tune, but he finally 
succeeded, and then, strumming some chords, he and his 
brothers started on one of their comic songs. 

^^Hot so bad! Hot so bad!” observed John. 
guess that will fetch ’em.” 

^^Say,” drawled a voice from a nearby fence, “do you 
fellers know Aly Old Kentucky Home ?’ ” 

“That looks as if it might be it, right over there,” 
said William, with a wink at his brothers, as he pointed 
to a white house in the distance. “Why; are you lost ?” 

“Haw, I mean do you know that there song by that 
name ?” asked the speaker, who was a farm lad. 

“Oh, I guess we have a speaking acquaintance with 
it,” answered John. 

“Then I wish you’d sing it. I jest love that there 
piece.” 

The boys obliged him, by giving the melody in their 
best style. 

“My, but that’s fine!” exclaimed the farm lad. “I 
guess I’m goin’ to be a opery singist when I grow up.” 


Those Smith Boys 


204 

As he was about six feet tall at the present moment, 
the boys wondered when he was going to ^^grow up.’^ 

^^Know ^On the Banks of the Wabash’ asked the 
lad ; and they sang that. 

^^My, but you fellers kin certainly sing!” exclaimed 
the lad. 

^^Come and hear us to-night,” invited John. We’re 
going to give an open air concert in the town square.” 

^^Oh, I’ll be thar!” said the lad. ^^Say, don’t you 
fellers want some vegetables ?” 

“Sure,” replied William, and the youth took them to 
a garden, not far away, where they were able to re- 
plenish their larder at no expense. 

They drove into town that night with some feeling 
of nervousness. It was their first attempt except when 
under the eye of the professor or the weather prophet. 
They wondered if they would succeed. 

They built out the platform, lighted the gasolene 
torches, and then retired to adorn themselves in their 
gaudy suits. 

Quite a crowd had collected when they emerged, and 
they felt more timid than ever. But William twanged 
confidently on the banjo, and, after the first chord, his 
brothers joined in the song. 

It was well received, and they gave another, which 
was followed by applause. 

“I told you them there fellers could sing like Sam 
Hill’s canary bird!” exclaimed a voice, and, looking 
over the crowd, the boys saw their friend, the young 
farmer. 

“How, ladies and gentlemen,” began John, who had 


Going it Alone 


205 


been chosen spokesman, “we will, with your kind per- 
mission and attention bring to your notice some of the 
most wonderful medicine the world has ever known. It 
is something to relieve human suffering — a Peerless 
Permanent Pain Preventative. 'No pain but what will 
yield to its marvelous powers. Now, is there any per- 
son in this audience that has a pain 

He had started well, as nearly like the professor as he 
could manage it. 

“Has any one a pain he asked. “I wish to demon- 
strate the value of this wonderful remedy. Who has a 
pain V’ 

“You give me a pain!’’ exclaimed a tall, lanky 
youth, and a laugh rippled through the crowd. 

John turned red, and hesitated. He had an attack of 
stage fright, and it looked as if their first attempt 
would end in failure. 


CHAPTER XXVIII 


TAKING OUT A SPOT 

But William was equal to the occasion. He reached 
for the banjo, and twanged the strings. 

Let’s sing!’^ he whispered to his brothers. 

They began a spirited melody, and carried it through 
well. This put the crowd in good humor at once, and 
the momentary embarrassment was forgotten. When 
John began he was listened to, and a man who had a 
rheumatic twinge in his arm, consented to allow some 
of the pain killer to be rubbed on. 

Whether it was imagination or because of the strength 
of the remedy, the man admitted that his pain was 
gone. 

^‘That feels fine!’^ the sufferer exclaimed. 

“I knew it would do you good,” declared John, and, 
on the strength of this cure, he sold several bottles. 

A crowd is pretty much like a flock of sheep. W^hat 
one does the others do, so the hoys soon were doing a 
brisk trade in the Pain Preventative. Then, when the 
throng seemed to have purchased enough of that, John 
began on the merits of the Spotless Saponifler, which 
was a cake of soap, said to remove all sorts of spots. 

^‘This is one of the most wonderful kinds of soap 
ever manufactured,” said the young traveling merchant. 
^Ht will remove all sorts of spots ” 


Taking Out a Spot 


207 j, 

it take away a sore spot?’^ asked a joking lad. 

^‘It will/’ replied John good-naturedly. “It will take 
out any kind of a spot. I^’ow has any one a spot 

“I’ve got a five spot/’ added another joker, holding 
up a five dollar hill. 

“That’s just the kind of a spot I like to remove,” 
said John, adapting himself to the circumstances. “I 
will gladly take that gentleman’s five spot, and remove 
it so that he will never see it again. If he will kindly 
pass it this way, I will ruh a little of this magic soap on 
it, and he will instantly see it disappear.” 

This was turning the laugh on his annoyer, and the 
crowd appreciated it. 

“But I will be glad to show what this soap will do,” 
went on John. “If any gentleman has a spot on his 
coat or vest I will be glad to take it off, and, to prove to 
you that the soap is exactly as I represent it, I will give 
the gentleman the same cake I use to remove his spot, 
so that he can take it home and give it to his wife if he 
has one. If not, any lady will gladly marry him for the 
sake of the cake of soap.” 

This was the style Professor Clatter used to indulge 
in, and John adapted it to his purpose to good advan- 
tage. The crowd laughed, and one man, who had a big 
spot on the front of his vest worked his way through the 
throng to the front of the platform. 

“Here’s a spot,” he said. “Can you take that 
out ?” 

“I surely can,” declared John. “One moment, and it 
will be removed forever.” 

He took a cake of soap, rubbed a damp rag on it until 


208 


Those Smith Boys 


he had a lather, and then rubbed the lather on the spot. 
He rubbed away until he had quite a suds on the offend- 
ing spot, and then, taking another cloth, he rubbed the 
soap bubbles away. 

‘‘How we behold,’^ he began, “that the spot has been 
entirely removed.’^ 

He really expected to find it gone, for it had looked 
like nothing but a grease spot, and he had often seen 
the professor take them out with the soap, which was 
really a good article, doing nearly all that was claimed 
for it. 

But, to the surprise of John, and to the astonishment 
of his brothers, to say nothing of the indignation of the 
man, what had before been but a dull, black stain on the 
vest, was now a large spot of vivid red. The crowd took 
one look at it and there was a general laugh. 

“Ah — er — um,” mumbled John. 

“Look at that!’’ exclaimed the man. “Look at it! 
Why I might just as well have daubed on a lot of red 
paint.” 

He spoke the truth. The spot was very vivid. 

“I thought you was goin’ to take that grease spot 
out ?” he said. 

“So I was,” replied John. “I have not finished yet. 
I must put a little more soap on. I have changed the 
chemical quality of the spot. It will require another 
application.” 

He had heard the professor talk thus when some ob- 
stinate spot was not removed with one application of the 
Spotless Saponifier. 

John made some more lather, and rubbed it on the 


Taking Out a Spot 20g 

vest. The crowd watched him closely. So did the man 
who wore the vest. 

“If you don’t take that red spot out I’ll have you 
arrested!” he threatened. “That’s me best vest, and 
I’ve got to wear it to church.” 

“Oh, I’ll take the spot out,” promised John, confi- 
dently, but he was terribly afraid that he would fail. If 
he did he had it in mind to agree to buy the man a new 
vest, but that would mean that he would have to admit 
that the soap he was selling was no good, and would 
also mean that they could do no more business in that 
vicinity. 

“I will soon have the spot out,” he promised. “It 
has been there for some years, has it not ?” 

“Well, a matter of ten year,” the man admitted. 

“Of course,” said John readily. “It is more difiicult 
to remove a ten year old spot than a two year old one, 
or a five year old one, which my friend over there 
offered a short time ago.” 

He was talking at random — hoping that this time the 
spot would disappear. He made a strong lather. 

“That’s right 1” exclaimed the youth who had praised 
their singing. “In course an old spot is harder than 
what a new one is.” 

The front of the man’s vest was now white with 
lather. J ohn was rubbing, rubbing away, hoping against 
hope that he would be successful this time. He put on 
a little more soap, and then wet the rag to wipe it ofi. 

“S’posin’ it doesn’t work ?” asked Pete in a whisper. 

“I can’t help it,” replied John. “I’ve done the best 
I could. That’s a fearful spot.” 


210 


Those Smith Boys 


With a rapidly beating heart he rubbed off the mass 
of lather. The crowd stood on tiptoe to see the result. 
The man who wore the vest cranned his neck to see the 
result. John looked fearfully down. 

As he wiped away the last of the white suds he saw 
something that made him start. 

The red spot had turned to a vivid green, and had 
spread over the whole front of the vest ! 

^^Look at thatP’ exclaimed the man. ^^Would you 
look at that! Green! Green! Like a Poll parrot. 
Fust it was red, an’ now it’s green ! Me vest is ruined ! 
You’re swindlers! Where’s a policeman! I’m goin’ 
to have you arrested! Green! Green! As green as 
grass on a May mornin’ ! Green ! Fust it were red, an’ 
now it’s green! Get me a policeman, somebody!” 

The crowd was in an uproar, and poor John stood on 
the platform, with his two brothers, not knowing what 
to do. 


CHAPTEE XXIX 


THE TRAINED BEAR MAN 

^^Wliat can we do?’’ asked John in a low tone to his 
brothers. ‘‘This is a fearful thing to have happen.” 

“Offer to pay for his vest,” suggested Pete. 

“Xo, wait. I have a plan!” exclaimed William. 

“You’re swindlers, that’s what you are !” went on the 
man. “Nothing but a lot of fakers! Look at me vest! 
Look at it ! All green like a Poll parrot ! I say ” 

“One moment,” broke in William, leaning over the 
edge of the platform. “The work it not completed 
yet.” 

“Not completed ? Sure an’ if you’re goin’ to make 
any more rainbow colors on me vest, it’s me that’ll be 
givin’ you a good trouncin’. Here, hold me coat, some- 
body.” 

“One moment,” again said William softly. “The ex- 
periment is not complete. That spot was a very dijfficult 
one to remove. It requires two operations. My brother 
did one, and I will do the other. Just stand still a mom- 
ent, please.” 

He quickly opened a bottle of the Eapid Eobust 
Eesolute Eesolvent. He poured some of it on the green 
spot, and, as if by magic it melted away. The vest was 
cleaned. 

Eor a moment no one spoke. J ohn and Pete were too 


212 


Those Smith Boys 


much astonished at William’s success to know what to 
say. The crowd looked on in pleased wonderment. The 
man glanced down at his vest, as if unable to believe 
what he had seen. 

“Well I’ll be j illy-pickled !” he exclaimed. “You 
done it all right, young feller !” 

“Of course,” replied William, as calmly as if the 
whole affair had been planned in advance. “Sometimes 
we find a spot that requires both treatments. /I will now 
demonstrate to you the benefits of keeping on hand not 
only the Spotless Saponifier but the Eapid Eobust 
Eesolute Eesolvent as well,” and he began on the same 
sort of patter the professor used, taking John’s 
place. 

William’s action saved the situation, and he sold a 
number of bottles of the liquid, which was a sort of 
cleaner, only much stronger than the soap. It was in- 
tended mainly for articles of wood and metal, however, 
not for clothing, though it had worked well on the vest. 

The boys did a good evening’s business before they 
decided to stop, and drive away to a secluded place to 
spend the night. 

“ Say, but we were up against it there ; weren’t we ?” 
asked John, as he and his brothers crawled into their 
bunks. “I wonder what made that spot turn red and 
green ?” 

“Probably some chemical in the soap, and also in 
whatever it was that made the spot,” replied William. 

“How’d you come to think to use the resolvent. 
Bill?” asked Pete. 

“Oh, it sort of just came to me. I knew we had to 


The Trained Bear Man 


213 


do something, or the crowd would have made trouble for 
US. The professor once told me he got stuck nearly 
the same way, and he tried that plan, so I thought I 
would. I didn’t know whether it would take the spot 
out, or turn it purple or pink, but I had good 
luck.” 

should say you did,” remarked John. “You 
have to think quick, in this business. It isn’t as easy 
as it seems. The professor is smarter than I gave him 
credit for.” 

“I hope we can get him out jail soon,” said Pete. 
“We will need some more stuff soon, if we sell at the 
rate we did to-night.” 

“That’s so,” admitted John. “I wonder where he 
buys his supplies. We must write and ask him.” 

The boys were almost asleep when William ventured 
a remark. 

“I wonder how things are in Freeport?” he said. 
“Do you think the railroad is at Vandalia yet?” 

“Oh, go to sleep,” advised John, and soon snores 
from William’s bunk told that he had followed this 
counsel. 

The boys started off again the next morning. Wag- 
gles ran along beside the wagon when Pactolus, the 
sturdy horse did not go too fast, for the dog’s broken 
leg was nearly healed. The weather continued pleasant, 
and the three brothers enjoyed their new life, though, 
at times, they could not help wishing they were back in 
Freeport. 

“I wonder if we’ll ever see the weather prophet 
again ?” said Pete, as they were nearing a town where 


214 Those Smith Boys 

they expected to do a good business, for it was a large 
place. 

“Hard to tell,^^ replied John. “I guess he basnet 
stopped going yet.’^ 

“He wasnH half had,’’ remarked William, “though I 
don’t believe he knew any more about the weather than 
I do.” 

Maybe he’ll go into some other line of business now,” 
said Pete. 

“He certainly ought to,” was John’s opinion. ^^Say, 
Sawed-off,” he continued, “have we got plenty to eat? 
You’re in charge of the kitchen.” 

“We need some more canned stuff,” replied the 
short Smith lad. “I never see fellows eat as you two 
do.” 

“Listen to him talk,” answered William. “As if he 
wasn’t always the first one to sit down, and the last 
to get up.” 

“Well, I chew my victuals better than you do,” 
retorted Pete, “and it takes me longer. But say, are 
we making any money?” 

“We’ve got nearly fifty dollars in the safe now,” re- 
plied John, who acted as treasurer. 

“Yes, and there’d be a lot more, if it wasn’t for that 
thumbless man,” said William. 

“I’d like to run across him now,” spoke Pete. 

“Kun over him, you mean,” ' interjected William. 
“This wagon is heavy enough to squeeze that stolen 
money from his pocket.” 

“I wonder if he’s the same fellow who robbed dad ?” 
inquired John. 


The Trained Bear Man 


215 


‘^Sure,” was William’s answer. ^‘The mark of his 
hand on the paper in the safe, was just like the one 
on our wall paper at home. Oh dear ! When I speak 
of home it makes me want to go back.” 

^^Drop that sort of talk,” advised Pete. We’ll go 
back this fall, when they’ve forgotten about us, and 
we’ll have some money to show for our trip. Then we 
can have some fun when school opens.” 

^^Maybe there won’t be any school,” said John, 
school? Why?” 

^^Well, if those Board of Trade men are to be be- 
lieved, the town will go to rack and ruin if the rail- 
road doesn’t come.” 

^^Oh, they’re just talking to hear themselves talk,” 
declared William. ^‘Freeport will get along all right.” 

“I wish we could do something to help ’em get the 
road there,” went on John. ^^If only we hadn’t started 
that hand car.” 

“Well, if we hadn’t, we wouldn’t be here today, 
having a good time, so what’s the odds?” asked Pete. 
“Come on, make Pactolus move a little faster. We 
want to get to Benton in time for some afternoon 
business.” 

John urged the horse to a faster gait, and they cov- 
ered a couple of miles of the highway. As they were 
coming in sight of the town of Benton, they heard, 
from around a bend in the road, the sound of some one 
singing. 

“Hark!” called William. “What’s that?” 

It was a rollicking, gay, happy air that was borne to 


216 


Those Smith Boys 


them on the wind — a curious song, sung in a high' 
pitched, strange voice. And this is how it ran: 

“La, la, la fi la did-a la ! 

La la ! Turn tiddle dee ! 

Oo ! la la, ze zum zut zizzium ! 

Da da. Oh zum zizzy zee !” 

“Well, did you ever hear the like of that?^’ asked 
Pete. 

“Sounds like an Egyptain snake charmer,’^ said 
William. 

The song became louder. The horse pricked up its 
ears, and began to prance a bit. 

“Steady old man,’^ called John soothingly. 

The song ceased, and then some one, who was con- 
cealed behind the bushes called out. 

“Kow zen, over you go, Georgi ! Zat ze way ! l^ow, 
once mo’ show zem how you ride ze bici-bici ! La, la, 
la fi la did-a la! Oo! la, la, ze zum zut zizzium!” 

A moment later the boys drove around the bend, and 
came upon a curious sight. On the grass beside the 
highway was a man dressed in a suit of brilliant red, 
with a big black hat upon his head, and a feather that 
swept over his shoulder. In one hand he held a bugle, 
and in the other a light chain. 

And, at the farther end of the chain, was an enormous 
black bear, which, as the boys came in sight began 
prancing around as if riding a bicycle, while the man 
hummed his curious song. 

Pactolus, the horse, reared, and began to tremble as 
he whiffed the wild smell of bruin. 


The Trained Bear Man 


217 

Steady old fellow called John, as he took a firmer 
grip on the reinS. 

At that moment the bear uttered a growl, and started 
toward the wagon. The man raised his bugle to his 
lips and blew a shrill blast. 

^^Hi ! Yi ! Zum zizzium V’ he cried. 

The shout, the bugle blast, the sight of the bear and 
the scarlet figure of the trainer worked on the other- 
wise calm nerves of the horse. He plunged forward, 
got the bit in his teeth, and, an instant later was gal- 
loping down the road at full speed, the heavy wagon 
swaying and bouncing behind him, and the boys cling- 
ing to the seat for dear life. 


CHAPTEK XXX 


NEWS OP THE THUMBLESS MAN 

^^Stop him! Hold him! Don’t let him get away!” 
cried Pete. 

don't intend to, if I can help it,” panted John, 
pulling on the reins with all his might. ^‘Whoa, Pac- 
tolns!” he cried. “Easy now. That bear won’t hurt 
you ! Whoa, now !” 

Whether the horse understood, or whether it thought 
it had gotten far enough away from the danger was not 
made manifest, but the animal gradually slackened its 
speed, and came to a trot. J ohn then brought Pactolus 
to a halt. 

“Whew! But Pactolus can run when he takes a 
notion,” said William. “I’m all shaken to pieces.” 

“And so are the things in the wagon, to judge by the 
noise,” said John. “I’m afraid some of the bottles are 
smashed.” 

They made an examination, and found that quite a 
number of the bottles of the pain preventative had been 
broken, as well as some of the resolvent. 

“That’s a nice mess,” observed John. “We haven’t 
any too much of the stufP, and we can’t get any more 
until we get the professor out of jail.” 

“We ought to make that bear man pay for the 
damage,” suggested Pete. 


News of the Thumbless Man 219 

^^That’s what we had/’ replied William. “Why, 
here he comes now/’ he added, as he looked back over 
the road. 

^^Don’t let him bring that bear up here,” said John 
quickly. ^^We don’t want another runaway, and more 
stuff smashed.” 

^^Hi there! Keep back with that bear!” shouted 
William, motioning with his hand to the scarlet-clad 
figure. 

^^Aw right,” was the answer, and the man tied bruin 
to the fence, and came on rapidly. 

^^Me ver’y sorry bear scare yo’ boss,” he said, as he 
took off his plumed hat, and made a bow. ^^Me no 
t’ink any one come along ze road.” 

‘AVell, you ought to do your practicing in the fields,” 
said John, rather crossly. ^‘You are to blame for 
breaking a lot of our stock.” 

^^Me ver’y sorry,” repeated the man. ^^Georgi, he 
very sorry too.” 

^^Yes, I s’pose so,” grumbled John. ^^Is Georgi 
your bear’s name ?” 

^^Yes; Georgi, he ze best bear what ever was. Me 
have him since he was leetle like so high,” and the man 
indicated the dimensions of a small puppy. 

^^Well, I wish he’d died when he was little, then he 
wouldn’t have scared our horse,” said William. , You 
ought to pay damages,” he added. 

“Me sorry, me no money to pay. Ze people not 
mooch like to see trained bear. Georgi good bear, but 
people no like see.” 


220 


Those Smith Boys 


I don’t s’pose we can get anything if you 
haven’t got it,” said Pete. 

^^Yo’ no have me arrest?” asked the man, somewhat 
sadly. 

don’t see what good that would do,” replied 

John. 

“Ah, I t’ank you. Me ver’y sorry. Me sing little 
song, me so glad.” 

“Yo, don’t sing!” exclaimed John quickly. “The 
horse might run away again.” 

The man could not seem to understand, but he ap- 
peared grateful that the boys were not going to make 
trouble for him. He bowed again, with his plumed 
hat, and then, with a sudden motion, he took from his 
finger a ring, containing a large stone, that sparkled 
like a diamond, hut which, from its size, could hardly 
have been that gem. 

“ Yo’ take this ?” asked the hear man, evidently mak- 
ing it a sort of peace offering. 

“Yo, we don’t want your fake ring,” said Pete, hut 
the man had handed it to John. Yo sooner had the 
eldest Smith hoy looked at it than he exclaimed: 

“Where did you get this ring?” 

“Man sell it to me for diamond — hut — only glass,” 
replied the trainer, with a shrug of his shoulders. “He 
fool me — ^get my money. But jewelry man say ring 
part is gold. I give him to you for what trouble I 
make wiz ze hear.” 

“Boys, look here!” exclaimed John excitedly. 
“Don’t you remember this ring?” 

He held it out to his brothers. 


News of the Thumbless Man 221 


“I sure do,” replied William. That’s one that dad 
has had for a good many years. Or at least it’s just 
like his.” 

That’s right,” added Pete. “He used to let me 
play with it when I was a little fellow. It once had 
a ruby in, but when that got lost dad had this piece of 
crystal put in. But maybe it’s not the same one.” 

“Yes it is,” said John quickly. “It’s got dad’s 
initials in. See !” and he pointed to the engraving. 

“And the ring was stolen from the desk with other 
trinkets when the three thousand dollars were,” added 
William. “Fellows, we’re on the track of that mys- 
terious thief again!” 

“Who gave you this ring? Where is he? Was it a 
man without a thumb?” asked John quickly. 

“Yes. Ze man he haf no t’umb on dis hand,” and 
the bear man indicated his left. “I meet him odder 
day. He say he sell me fine ring cheap. I give him 
nearly all my money for it. Then I find out it no 
good. I am swindle.” 

“Where is the man now?” inquired Pete. 

“He no stay,” replied the trainer. “He know I be 
after him. But I find some — ^what you call hobos?” 
and he looked inquiringly at the lads. 

“He means tramps,” said Pete. 

“Ah, ze tramps,” went on the bear man. “I see 
some tramps what know ze man wizout a t’umb. I ask 
where he be go, an’ zey say he go near some railroad 
what run through green valley. I no can tell where 
that is, so I no go. I try make more money wid ze 
bear — wid Georgi. So I no have money to pay yo’, 


222 


Those Smith Boys 


but I give ze ring. Ze gold worth something. Yo’ say 
yo’ know ring?’^ 

“Yes, but never mind about that part now,” spoke 
John quickly. “Haven’t you any idea where the man 
without a thumb went?” 

“Off to green valley,” was the reply. “Me no can 
tell.” 

“That’s our man, as sure as you’re born!” exclaimed 
Pete. “He seems to be on our heels, or we on his, 
everywhere we go. But what in the world does he 
mean by the green valley?” 

“I’ll tell you!” exclaimed William. “He means the 
Green Valley railroad! The road that is being built 
near our place!” 

“That it. Green Valley,” repeated the bear man. 

“That’s where the thumbless man is,” went on Wil- 
liam. “He, and the gang of tramps he is with, have 
headed for there. There are always tramps around 
a railroad. He’s getting rid of the trinkets he stole 
from dad’s desk. But he didn’t think we’d get a trace 
of him through this ring. We had better telegraph 
the police at once, and ask them to be on the look- 
out.” 

“And give ourselves away,” objected John. “I guess 
we can’t do it,” for he and his brothers, not knowing 
the true state of affairs, imagined that they were liable 
to arrest in Preeport. 

“What can we do?” asked Pete. 

“We’ll have to go there ourselves, and not let any 
one see us in Freeport,” decided John. 

“Then what?” 


News of the Thumbless Man 223 


Maybe we can catch this thnmbless man, and make 
him give np what’s left of dad’s money, as well as the 
professor’s five hundred. That’s what we’ve got to 
do!” 

“It doesn’t sound very reasonable,” remarked Wil- 
liam, “but I guess it’s the best we can do. The police 
are the ones who ought to attend to this case, but of 
course we can’t let them know where we are.” 

“We can’t go all the way back to Freeport, or near 
it, right away,” said Pete. “We’ve got to stop at a lot 
of places on the way, and sell stuff, to get money to pay 
the fine and get Mr. Clatter out of jail.” 

“That’s so,” agreed John. “Well, we’ll make as 
good time as we can. It’ll take a few more weeks to 
raise the two hundred dollars for the fine. Then we’ll 
bid, good-bye to the professor, and take after the thumb- 
less man. 

“And by that time he’ll be a thousand miles away,” 
objected William. 

“Can’t help it,” declared his older brother. “We 
can’t leave the professor in the lurch.” 

“Yo’ take ring?” asked the bear man. 

“Sure, and we’re much obliged to you,” replied John. 

“ISTo be mad at ze bear?” 

“Ho, we’ll forgive you. The ring is worth more to 
us than the medicine.” 

right. Me glad,” replied the foreigner, as, once 
more, he made a sweeping bow with his plumed hat. 
Then he turned, and went back up the road to where 
he had tied the bear to the fence. And, as he went he 
sang: 


224 


Those Smith Boys 


^^La, la, la fi la did-a la ! 

La, la! Turn tiddle dee! 

Oo ! la la, ze zum zut zizzium ! 

Da da. Oh ! zum zizzie zee !” 

“Well, did you ever hear tell of anything stranger 
than this asked J ohn, as he gazed at the ring in his 
hand. 

“I guess not,’’ replied William. “If we read it in a 
book we wouldn’t believe it.” 


CHAPTER XXXI 


THE PEOFESSOE EELEASED 

The boys talked over the matter at some length, and 
decided that their best plan would be to continue sell- 
ing the medicine and soap, as long as their supply held 
out. John calculated that there was enough left after 
the accident caused by the runaway, to make two hun- 
dred dollars over their expenses. 

^^Then we’ll get Mr. Clatter out of jail,” he said, 
^^and have him advise us what to do.” 

They drove into town, and, making their arrange- 
ments for an afternoon and evening of business, had 
their dinner out of doors near the wagon, which was 
drawn up along the highway. 

Trade was good in the to^vn, and that night they had 
the satisfaction of adding a number of dollars to the 
treasury. For a week they traveled about the country, 
stopping in the places indicated in the list made out by 
Mr. Clatter. Sometimes they had good luck, and sold 
a number of bottles of the medicine, and many cakes 
of soap. Again they would arrive at a place where 
some other traveling merchant had just been, and they 
could not dispose of enough stuff to pay expenses. 

They enjoyed the free and easy life, but it would 
have been more enjoyable if they had known how their 
father was, and if they could have stopped worrying 
over the railroad matter. 


226 


Those Smith Boys 


seems sort of queer not to hear some of the neigh- 
bors blaming ^those Smith boys’ for something; doesn’t 
it?” said Pete one day. 

That’s right,” a^’eed William. ^^We haven’t done 
any mischief since we left home.” 

“And we’ll not do any if we ever get back,” added 
John. “Every time anything happens in Freeport 
they lay it to us. I guess things are happening there 
now, and I wonder who they blame it on.” 

“Maybe Bateye and Doc,” suggested Pete. 

“More likely Spider and Beantoe,” said William. 

“I’d like to see the boys again,” spoke Pete. 

“Same here,” put in John. “Well, maybe we will 
soon.” 

“How much money have we got how?” asked 
William. 

“About a hundred and fifty. We’ll have fifty more 
in a week,” 

“What town do we strike next?” 

“Pimford. It’s quite a place, but what’s worrying 
me, is how we’re going to do business much longer,” 
went on John. 

“How’s that?” asked Pete. 

“Well, our stock is almost gone, and we can’t get any 
more.” 

The prospect indeed was not a very pleasant one, and 
the boys looked worried. There was nothing they could 
do, however. 

“Let’s write to the professor,” suggested Pete. “He 
may be able to advise us what to do.” 

William and John thought that advice good, and they 


The Professor Released 


227 


prepared a letter to be mailed in Pimford. They 
reached that town in the afternoon, and stopped the 
wagon in front of the post office while Pete went in to 
mail the letter. 

^^Say, are you the Smith boys?’^ asked the man at 
the stamp window. 

^‘Yes — yes — I guess so,’^ gasped Pete. He at once 
had a fear that there w^as an alarm out for their 
arrest. 

‘‘Don’t you know?” asked the man sharply. 

“Yes — ^yes; we’re the Smith boys,” admitted Pete, 
wondering if he had time to make a leap for the wagon, 
and escape with, his brothers. 

“I thought sb,” went on the man. “Well, here’s a 
letter Pve been holding for you several days. I’m the 
post master here and the fellow who wrote that, en- 
closed it in an envelope to me, asking me to hand it to 
some boys who would arrive in a circus wagon. You’re 
them, I guess.” 

He handed over the missive, and, at the first sight 
of it, Pete exclaimed: 

“It’s from Mr. Clatter!” 

He hurried out to his brothers, and they quickly 
read the letter. The unfortunate professor explained 
that he expected the boys would arrive at Pimford about 
this time, so he wrote on ahead there. The letter con- 
tained some surprising news. 

“I have prevailed on the judge to reduce my fine to 
a hundred dollars,” the professor wrote, “so if you have 
that amount made, and I think you must have, will one 
of you kindly come here and effect my release. Take a 


228 Those Smith Boys 

train, as it will be quicker, and keep the outfit in Pirn- 
ford.’^ 

^^Hurrali! That’s the stuff!” cried John. “IN’ow we 
stand a chance to capture the thumbless man!” 

Who’ll go get the professor?” asked William. 

“I will,” replied John, and he, being the eldest, the 
two younger brothers did not dispute his right. 

The next day Mr. Clatter and John arrived in Pirn- 
ford. The inventor of the Pain Preventative was a 
little paler than when he had been forced to part com- 
pany from the boys, but he had regained his usual good 
spirits. 

“Ah, it does my heart good to see you,” he said. 
“^Tow we can resume our travels again. The world will 
be better off than when I was in that miserable dungeon. 
We will start in at once to repair our shattered fortunes. 
I don’t suppose Pactolus found the golden river; did 
he?” 

“IN’o,” replied John. , 

“Ah, well, there is time enough. And how is Wag- 
gles ? I positively must get a more classical name for 
that dog.” 

“He’s pretty well,” replied William. “His leg is all 
better.” 

“But where is Duodecimo Donaldby?” 

“Oh, I forgot to tell you about him,” said John, and 
he proceeded to relate about the deluge, and the weather 
prophet’s flight. 

“Hever mind, we may meet him again, in a different 
character,” said the professor. “And now to business. 


The Professor Released 


229 

!As you have sold nothing here, we should do a good 
trade. 

^^N^ot very, I’m afraid,” said Pete. 

'^Why not?” 

‘^We haven’t much stock left.” 

^^Ah, that is nothing,” declared Mr. Clatter. will 
at once begin to make a fresh supply. And, what is 
more, while in jail I thought out a recipe for making 
a fine grade of silver polish from coal ashes. It wiU 
cost comparatively nothing, and we can sell a lot of it. 
How we’ll take our wagon to some secluded spot, and 
replenish our supply.” 

Which the professor at once proceeded to do. He 
went to a drug store and purchased a number of things, 
and then, with a supply of new bottles, he and the 
boys, establishing their plant near a convenient brook, 
proceeded to manufacture the resolvent, the pain pre- 
ventative and the saponifier. When they had a good 
supply of these, the professor manufactured his new sil- 
ver polish from finely sifted ashes and some other 
ingredients. 

^^How we will start off,” he said. “Fortune lies just 
ahead of us. We must make haste and catch her.” 

Matters did appear to brighten with the advent of 
the professor. They continued their travels about the 
country, and disposed of many bottles of the resolvent 
and pain medicine, many cakes of soap, and hundreds 
of boxes of the silver polish. The little safe in the 
wagon was again holding a bundle of bills, and the 
boys had fifty dollars each, being paid every week. 

They continued their nightly singing act, now and 


Those Smith Boys 


230 

then adding some dancing, or sleight of hand work, for 
the professor taught them some simple tricks. 

They asked Mr. Clatter what to do about the thumb- 
less man, and he advised them to wait until they were 
nearer Freeport, which town they were approach- 
ing. 

^Mf he has gone back there, said the professor, ^‘he 
is doubtless sure that he will not be caught. In that 
case he will remain there some time. I do not believe 
my plan of reading palms will do any good now, so we 
will dispense with it. Besides, it may not be altogether 
safe.’^ 

^^Do you think we’ll ever catch him asked Pete, 
hope so — yet he seems to be a slippery customer. 
We will hope for the best. I wish we would come across 
Duodecimo Donaldby. He might have met the thumb- 
less man in his travels.’’ 

They journeyed on for a week more, business being 
good. The boys had written two more letters to their 
father, assuring him that they might soon be home. 

One night, when they were in a small town, about 
fifty miles from Freeport, John purchased an evening 
paper. He had no chance to read it until after business 
that night, and then, just before retiring, he spread it 
out under a lamp in the rear room of the wagpn, where 
he and his brothers were sitting. 

^^Hello! What’s this?” suddenly exclaimed John, 
as he stared at something on the front page. 

“What’s the matter?” asked William. 

“Listen to this news about Freeport,” went on John, 
and he proceeded to read an account of how the Board 


The Professor Released 


231 


of Trade had made one final effort to induce the rail- 
road to come there and not go to Vandalia. It had 
been useless, and there was gloom in the town where 
the hoys lived, and corresponding elation in Vandalia. 
[N’or was the part the Smith boys had played in the 
matter neglected. Their unfortunate prank was 
blamed for the loss the town would sustain. Then fol- 
lowed a sort of editorial on how much damage thought- 
less boys could do, and the disadvantage they were to 
a community. It ended with: 

^‘We understand on good authority that the Smith 
boys have gone away. Our advice to them is to stay. 
Treeport has no desire to see them again.’’ 

^^Well, that's putting it pretty strong,” said William 
slowly. , 

^^But I guess we deserve it, though we didn’t mean 
to do any harm,” observed Pete. 

^^Of course not,” added John. “But say, fellows! 
Listen to this. It’s about dad!” 

He then read, in a voice that trembled somewhat: 

“We regret to announce that our fellow townsman, 
Mr. John Smith, has gone into bankruptcy. It is said 
that he has lost not only his business, but all the large 
tract of land he once owned. His failure was brought 
about by the robbery of three thousand dollars some 
time ago. He has our sincere regrets.” 

“Well — what — do — you — think — of — that ?” said 
William slowly. 

“It isn’t true!” burst out Pete. 

“I’m afraid it is, but I wish it wasn’t,” said 
John. 


232 


Those Smith Boys 

^^Poor dad — failed went on William. 

“And we not there to help him,” added Pete. ^^Saj, 
we never ought to have run away from home.” 

“I’m beginning to think so,” admitted William. 

“Poor dad! Poor dad,” murmured Pete. 

“Boys,” said John quickly, “there’s only one thing 
for us to do.” 

“What’s that?” asked William. 

“Go home at once, and do what we can for dad!” 

“But the Board of Trade — they’ll have us arrested !” 
exclaimed Pete. 

“I don’t believe they will,” said John. 

“If they don’t, the railroad officers may.” 

“We can’t help it. It’s our duty to go home, and 
help dad in his trouble. Just to think of it, besides all 
his other worries, he has had to worry about us. Fel- 
lows, we must go home at once!” 

“All right. Cap,” agreed William. “I’m with you. 
When can we start?” 

“We’ll start to-morrow morning,” decided John. 
“Poor dad ! To think of him failing, and losing 
everything he had — his business, and his land.” 

“We’ll help him get it back,” said Pete bravely. 

“That’s what we will,” declared the older brother. 
“Back to Freeport for ours, as soon as a train can take 
us !” 

“What’s that?” asked Professor Clatter, entering 
the wagon at that moment, having been outside to see 
to his horse. “Going back to Freeport in the morn- 
ing? Why we’re due in Millville then.” 

“WeVe got to go home to our father,” said John. 


The Professor Released 233 

in trouble. Read that,” and he handed over the 

paper. 

The professor glanced at it. Before he had time 
to read it through, there came a shout from outside. A 
voice, which the boys seemed to recognize was calling: 
‘^Help! Help! Help!” 

“Someone’s in trouble!” exclaimed the professor, as 
he rushed from the wagon. 


CHAPTEE XXXII 


THE THUMBLESS MAH AGAIN 

the matter? Who is it? What has hap- 
pened ?’’ demanded Mr. Clatter, as he peered into the 
darkness. 

^^Help me! IVe fallen into the ditch cried a 
voice. “I’m stuck in the mud, and I can’t get out. 
Help!” 

“Duodecimo Donaldby or I’m a sevenj-spotted 
stickleback!” exclaimed the professor. 

“Is that you, Theophilus?” asked a faint voice. 
“Oh! I’m so glad I’ve found you!” 

“Show a light, boys!” called Mr. Clatter, and Wil- 
liam took a lantern from a hook, and flashed the 
gleams of it outside. 

By the light of it could be seen the head and 
shoulders of the recent weather prophet. The re- 
mainder of his anatomy was in a slimy ditch that was 
not far from where the travelers had halted their 
wagon for the night. 

“We must help him out,” said Mr. Clatter. “Come 
on boys.” 

With the aid of some fence rails Mr. Donaldby was 
partly pried, and partly pulled, from the sticky mud 
that was holding him fast. He was a sorry-looking 


The Thumbless Man Again 235 

sight, for his clothes from his waist to his shoes, were 
cover with muck. 

saw the light from your wagon,” he explained, 
didn’t know it was you, but I hoped so. The glare 
blinded me, and I fell into the ditch.” 

“We’ll soon have you all right,” promised the pro- 
fessor. “William, just draw a pail of clean water from 
the spring, and wash him down. You need a scrub- 
bing, Duodecimo. I’ll — ” 

“Yot that name,” said the former prophet quickly. 

“What name?” 

“Duodecimo.” 

“Why not?” 

“Because I’m no longer Duodecimo Donaldby.” 

“Who are you?” 

“I’m Mirthrandees Hendershot.” 

“And your business ?” 

“Horse doctor.” 

“Ah,” said the professor. “The weather ” 

“I didn’t dare continue in that after — er — I suppose 
the boys told you?” 

“Yes. To bad.” 

“Oh, I don’t know. That game was pretty well 
played out. There was nothing sure in it. This is 
better.” 

“But I didn’t know you knew anything about doc- 
toring horses.” 

“I didn’t, but I got a book, and read it up. IVe 
done pretty well. One horse I was doctoring died, 
but I was in the next town when it happened, and I 
didn’t go back.” 


Those Smith Boys 


236 

said the professor again. ^^But we are keep- 
ing you ont in the damp. William, have you the pail 
of water.” 

^^Here it is.” 

^^^N'ow, Pete, if you’ll get the broom, we’ll wash down 
Mr. — er — Mr. Hendershot.” 

With the clean water, and a broom, the worst of the 
mud was removed from the lower extremity of the 
horse doctor. Then he entered the wagon with Mr. 
Clatter and the boys, and the professor supplied him 
with some dry clothes. 

‘^I^ow tell me about yourself,” invited Mr. Clatter, 
when the wayfarer had been given some supper. 

Mirthrandees Hendershot did so, describing his wan- 
derings since he ran away during the deluge. He had 
disposed of his rain-making outfit to a friend, and be- 
come a horse doctor. In turn the professor related the 
experiences of himself and the boys. 

^‘And now they talk of leaving me,” he said. “They 
were just explaining when you called for help. I will 
ask them to continue.” 

Which John did, dwelling on the necessity for him- 
self and his brothers starting for home at once, to help 
their father. 

“Hum. Much as I dislike to lose your services, for 
I value them highly,” said the professor, “I must ad- 
mit that you are in the right. Your place is home with 
your father. He needs you. Perhaps you were foolish 
ever to have run away, but you acted for the best, and 
it may turn out right, even yet.” 

Little did the boys know what was in store for them, 


The Thumbless Man Again 237 


and how their escapade was to turn to their benefit, as 
well as to that of their father’s. 

“You have done me a great favor,” went on Mr. 
Clatter, “and I want to show you that I appreciate it. 
I will add to what I have already paid you, enough so 
that you will each have a hundred dollars. With that 
you may be able to temporarily relieve the distress of 
your father. You may start for home in the morning. 
There is an early train that will take you to within a 
few miles of Freeport.” 

“I suppose you will continue the business?” ven- 
tured WTlliam. 

“Oh, yes,” replied the professor. “I will still con- 
tinue to sell my Peerless Permanent Pain Preventa- 
tive, my Kapid Kobust Eesolute Kesolvent, my Spot- 
less Saponifier and my Supremely Sterling Silver 
Shiner. And I have another plan. Duodecimo — I beg 
your pardon, I should say, Mirthrandees, does the horse 
doctoring business pay?” 

“E’ot so well as it might.” 

“Then I have a proposition to make you. Will you 
once more enter partnership with me, and travel about 
in my chariot?” 

“Theophilus, I will!” exclaimed Mr. Hendershot. 

“ ’Tis well !” spoke the professor dramatically. “To- 
gether we will travel the dusty roads of time, toward 
the golden future that beckons us on. At any moment 
Pactolus may wade into the magical river, and turn 
us all into gold. Until then we will sell patent medi- 
cines, soap and silver polish. Mirthrandees, you used 
to be an actor, and you can resume your old calling. 


Those Smith Boys 


238 

In tlie intervals of selling soap and silver polish, you 
will recite extracts from Shakespear’s plays.” 

good idea,” said the former weather prophet and 
horse doctor. IMothing seemed to come amiss to him. 

^^Then, if all is settled let’s hie ourselves to bed,” 
went on Mr. Clatter. ^^Ha, Mercurio, make up the 
downy couches, and we will court tired nature’s sweet 
restorer, balmy sleep, and let it knit up the raveled 
sleeve of care. To bed!” 

A little later the five travelers were slumbering 
soundly. The boys were up early, but Mr. Clatter was 
before them, and had a good breakfast ready. 

Mercurio has set out the magic table for you,” 
he said. ^^Come and dine, or, rather break your fast. 
Then, away with you, and may good luck attend you.” 

^^You seem glad to get rid of them,” observed Mr. 
Hendershot, as he was washing his face and hands in 
the little brook. 

but follow the advice of the ancients,” retorted 
Mr. Clatter. “I do but Welcome the coming, speed 
the parting guest, for, in that rule true friendship’s 
law’s expressed.’ So, boys, eat heartily, and then — 
away.” 

The boys were sorry to leave the old professor, who, 
in spite of his faults, had been very good to them, as 
had the weather prophet. 

“Good-bye,” called the boys, as they started for the 
station. 

“Good-bye,” answered the two partners, standing at 
the back of the gaudy wagon. 

“Come, Waggles,” called John. 


The Thumbless Man Again 239 

that dog! I have entirely forgotten a classical 
name for him. ’Tis a shame that he must go through 
the world burdened by a title like Waggles. But it is 
too late now. When next we meet, I’ll have a fitting 
appellation for him.” 

don’t s’pose we’ll ever see them again,” said Wil- 
liam, as he and his brothers, preceded by Waggles, 
turned down the road, and waved their hands at the 
two men. 

^^Oh, we may,” said John. ^^This world isn’t such a 
big place after all. Look how the thumbless man has 
followed us.” 

And, though it was some time before the Smith boys 
saw their two strange friends again, they did meet 
them, and under strange circumstances. 

^^That thumbless man!” exclaimed Pete, as they lost 
sight of the wagon. ^^I’d just like to meet him!” 

They purchased tickets for Kossby, the nearest sta- 
tion to Freeport, and were soon journeying toward 
home. 

wonder how we’ll find dad?” remarked Pete. 

hope it isn’t all true — about him losing his 
money,” said William. 

“So do I,” spoke John. “Still, I’m afraid there’s 
some truth in it. My, how slow the train seems to go !” 

But it was really making good speed. The boys, 
however, were not to reach their destination without 
trouble. When within half the distance of Kossby they 
were held up by a freight wreck on the line, and it was 
late afternoon before they got started again. 

Then, in trying to make up some of the lost time one 


Those Smith Boys 


240 

of the coaches developed a ^4iot box/’ The waste in the 
axle box caught fire and it was impossible to go on until 
it had been put out, and the bearing cooled. 

“Where are we?’^ asked Pete as they got out of their 
coach, and walked up and down the track, as did many 
other passengers, while waiting for the trouble to be 
remedied. 

“You’re about three miles from Kossby,” answered 
a brakeman. 

“And how long before we’ll get in there?” asked 
John. 

“About an hour.” 

“Why we could walk it in less time than that,” de- 
clared Pete. 

“Yes, you could,” assented the railroad man. “It’s 
a straight road, down the track.” 

“And if we wait here an hour we may miss a chance 
of getting to Freeport to-night,” went on William. 

“That’s so,” admitted John. “Let’s walk.” 

They started off down the track. It was dark now, 
and, as they drew away from the vicinity of the lighted 
train, they saw a dim stretch of track before them. 

“It’s sort of lonesome,” commented Pete, with a 
little shiver. 

“That’s nothing,” said William. “What do we care, 
as long as we’re going home, and have a hundred 
dollars ” 

“Hush!” exclaimed John. 

“What’s the matter?” 

“Some tramps might hear you, and hold us up. 



‘‘the man without a thumb!” exclaimed william Iisr A 

WHISPER, "the robber!” 


t'anc 241 . 




/ 

-5 






f 


* 

K . 






d . 



/ 


The Thumbless Man Again 241 


There are always a lot of tramps hanging around a 
railroad. Keep still about the money.” 

They plodded on in silence for perhaps a mile, and, 
just as they came in sight of the distant glow of Kossby, 
John, who was a little in advance, suddenly stopped. 

^‘What’s the matter?” asked William. 

‘^Hush !” exclaimed his elder brother, and he pointed 
off to the left. 

The other boys looked. They saw, in a little hollow, 
near the railroad embankment, a small fire blazing. 
And about it were grouped several men — men who, at 
a glance, could be seen to be tramps. 

But, more strange than this was what happened im- ' 
mediately after that. One of the men arose, and, 
advancing well into the circle of light cast by the fire, 
addressed his companions. As he spoke, he waved his 
hands to and fro. 

And, to the astonishment of the boys, they saw that 
his left hand lacked a thumb. They could see it plainly 
in the glare from the fire, which blazed up brightly, as 
one of the tramps threw some wood on it. 

^^The man without a thumb!” exclaimed William in 
a whisper. “The robber!” 

“Hush !” said John softly. “Let’s see if we can hear 
what he is saying. How, at last, we have a chance to 
capture him!” 


CHAPTEE XXXIII 


OVERHEAKING A PLOT 

For a few minutes the boys watched the strange 
scene before them. They could see the thumbless man 
talking earnestly to the tramps, but they could not hear 
what was being said. 

^^WeVe got to get closer,” said John. ^‘Let’s crawl 
up behind that tool box,” and he pointed to one stand- 
ing on the edge of the railroad embankment, and not 
far from where the strange conference was going on. 

Moving cautiously the boys made their way to it. 
William stepped on a big cinder, which slipped from 
beneath his foot, and rolled down the incline. The 
tramps started to their feet. 

‘^Some one’s coming!” cried the man who had put 
wood on the fire. 

As good luck would have it. Waggles, at that mom- 
ent, ran along the track. He had lingered in the rear 
of the boys, in the hope of catching a stray rat, and now 
sought to join them. He came opposite the place 
where the fire was, just as William made the noise. 
The tramps looked up and saw the animal. 

^Ht’s only a dog,” said the man without a thumb on 
his left hand. Some stray cur.” 

^^Here, Waggles!” whispered John softly, and the 


Overhearing a Plot 243 

dog knew wliat the caution meant. He crawled along 
and joined his masters. 

The three hoys had instantly crouched down in the 
shadow of the big tool chest, the moment William 
slipped on the cinder, and so were not seen. 

There, ifs gone,’’ they heard the thumbless man 
say. ^‘JSTow I’ll tell you what we’ll do.” 

‘^We can hear them plainly from here,” whispered 
Pete to his brothers. 

Quiet,” cautioned John. 

“Yes, it was a dog, all right,” remarked one of the 
men. “It’s all right, if he didn’t have some one with 
him.” 

“Oh, you’re always looking for trouble, Muggsy,” 
retorted the leader. “Why don’t you get over it. You 
fellows would do nothing if it wasn’t for me. Why I 
can get more money single-handed than I can by trav- 
eling with this crowd. I’ve a good notion to shake 
you.” 

“Aw, wasn’t we with youse when we held up de 
medicine wagon, an’ youse got five hundred plunks?” 
demanded the man who had mentioned the dog. 

“Yes, and you all ran, when they fired a harmless 
bomb at you,” sneered the man with maimed hand. 

“Well, I took notice that you skedadled too,” was 
one tramp’s retort. 

“Haturally, I had the money, but there was plenty 
for you fellows to get, if you’d had any nerve.” 

“That’s the man who robbed us all right,” whispered 
William. 

“Quiet,” implored John. 


244 


Those Smith Boys 


^^IN’ow I tell you what it is,” went on the thumhless 
man, you ain’t brave enough to carry this plan 
through, why say so right now, and we’ll drop it.” 

^‘Aw, go on,” answered a red-headed tramp. “We’re 
wid youse all right. You tells us what to do, an’ we’ll 
do it.” 

“That’s better. Yow here’s our program. You know 
the pay car will come down late to-night, to be ready to 
pay off the men to-morrow morning. It’ll run down 
to the construction camp, and stay there. But if we do 
what’s right, when it gets to the camp, there won’t be 
any money in it.” 

“How’s dat?” inquired a very fat tramp. 

“Why, we’ll hold it up just back of the deep culvert, 
near that hill they call the Cat’s Paw.” 

“How youse goin’ t’ make it stop?” asked the fat 
tramp. “That pay car goes like Sam Hill.” 

“I know it,” said the man without a thumb, “but a 
signal torpedo on the track, and a red lamp will do the 
business. I’ll do that, and the rest is easy. As soon 
as it stops we’ll cover the engineer and fireman with 
our guns, shoot the guards if necessary, and get the 
money.” 

“How we goin’ to open the safe, s’posin’ we do man- 
age to stop the train ?” asked another tramp. 

“Easy enough. Dynamite. There’s plenty of it in 
the construction camp. It’s kept in a small shanty, and 
I know how to use it. Oh, it’s dead easy, if you’ll help 
me. We ought to get ten thousand dollars, if we get a 
cent, for the engineers’ and surveyors’ money will be 
in the safe.” 


Overhearing a Plot 245 

We’re wid youse, cully/’ said the fat tramp. 
sports ?” and he laughed. 

^‘Sure/’ came the reply in a chorus. 

“E'ot so loud !” cautioned the thumhless man. ^‘Well 
then, it’s all arranged. We’ll wait here a while, and 
then start. Have you all got guns ?” 

‘^Sure,” answered several. 

‘^Well, don’t he afraid to use ’em if you have to,” 
went on the thumbless man. “ Of course if they give in 
easy so much the better, if not — shoot !” 

‘‘You bet we will,” was the reply. 

In the shadow of the big tool box the boys heard the 
plot to wreck the pay train. Every word came to them 
distinctly. 

“How douse the fire,” went on the thumbless man. 
“Some one might come along, and take a notion to look 
down here.” 

One of the tramps scattered the brands with his foot, 
and the scene faded away as the darkness closed in. 

“Crawl away,” whispered John to his brothers. 
“Don’t make a bit of noise. Here, Waggles! Quiet 
now 1” 

On hands and knees they crawled along, the dog in 
their wake, but making no more noise than a shadow 
of the night. 

On and on the boys crawled, until they judged that 
they w^ere far enough away from the camp of the des- 
perate men to make it safe to walk upright. 

“Well ! What do you make of that ?” askfed William. 

“Make of it?” asked John. “It’s all made up. Bill. 
We’ve got to stop it, that’s what we’ve got to do.” 


Those Smith Boys 


246 

“Stop it? How?” 
giving warning/^ 

‘^But we don’t even know where they’re going to 
stop the train, nor what road it’s on unless it’s this one,” 
said Pete. 

‘‘Oh yes we do,” answered John. “It’s the Green 
Valley road, and they’re going to do the job near the 
construction camp — the same place that’s responsible 
for onr trouble.” 

“How do you know.” 

“Couldn’t you tell, by hearing them talk ? That man 
without a thumb spoke of the camp, and the hill called 
the Cat’s Paw. That’s right near our cave. Come on, 
we’ve got to go and give warning.” 

“But how?” insisted William. 

“By telling some one at the camp — an engineer or a 
surveyor, or maybe our friend Mr. Carboy. Then they 
can telegraph hack and stop the train.” 

“Have we got time ?” asked John. 

“We have, if we go through the woods, and take the 
short cut,” decided John. “It’s only about seven o’clock, 
and they’re not going to stop the train until midnight. 
We can easily make it.” 

“Then we can’t get to Preeport — and dad to-night,” 
spoke William. 

“Ho — no — ^but — ^but we’ve got to save that train,” 
said John slowly. “Boys, here’s our chance to make up 
for the trouble we caused Mr. Stanton with the hand 
car.” 

“And — and maybe we can help capture the thumbless 
man,” spoke Pete. 


Overhearing a Plot 


247 


“I hope so,” replied John. ^^Come on now hoys. 
WeVe got a hard job ahead of us, and not any too much 
time to do it in. Step lively. Waggles, no more 
deserting. We may need you.” 

The dog answered with a whine, and the boys, hur- 
ried along the track in the darkness, intent on only one 
thing — to give timely warning of the hold-up. 


CHAPTER XXXIV 


CAPTURE OF THE ROBBERS 

^^How far are we going along the railroad?” asked 
Pete, when they had traveled perhaps a mile. 

^AVe’ll keep on until we get to Muddy Brook,” said 
John. ^^Then we can cut across lots, over the big hill, 
and come out at the construction camp.” 

That’s a hard way,” observed William, 
know it. Bill,” answered his older brother, ^^but it’s 
the shortest and we haven’t much time.” 

A little later they struck off from the railroad, and 
went into the fields. In the darkness it was no easy 
traveling. They slipped and stumbled along, now fall- 
ing down and now recovering themselves. Waggles fol- 
lowing, but making no sound. 

The railroad on which the boys had been traveling 
when the hot box caused the delay, was expected to con- 
nect with the new Green Valley line, when it was com- 
pleted. And when the new line had been built past 
Ereeport, or, as the new plans called for, through Van- 
dalia, the two roads would meet. 

To get to the railroad camp the boys would pass 
within two miles of the outskirts of Freeport. 

On they journeyed, talking in low tones of what was 
before them, and wondering what measures the railroad 
men would use to capture the robbers. 


Capture of the Robbers 249 

^^Tliere^s Freeport/^ observed John, after a period of 
silence. 

Where ?’’ asked Pete. 

^^Over where yon see those lights,” and his brother 
pointed to the left. 

wish we were going there,” said William. “Poor 
dad ! we ought to be with him.” 

“Well, we will, as soon as we give this warning,” 
spoke John. 

“But we’ll hardly be able to get home until morning,” 
went on William, “and something may happen to him in 
the meantime.” 

“Oh, I hope not,” responded the oldest Smith boy. 
“But say, that felt like a drop of rain.” 

“It is rain,” declared Pete a moment later, and then 
began an unpleasant drizzle, which soon changed into a 
smart shower. 

“It’s just like the night we ran away from home,” 
observed William. “Burr — r — r — ^r — r ! I stepped in 
a bog-hole then!” 

He stumbled, and would have fallen, but John caught 
him. 

They hurried on, through the wet fields, pushing 
their way amid underbrush and rank weeds, caring for 
nothing as long as they made progress. They waded 
Muddy Brook, and then began to climb the hill, which, 
once over, would nearly bring their journey to an end. 
This was the hardest part of all, but they accomplished 
it, and then, wet, muddy and tired, with torn clothes 
and bruised hands, they stood on the summit. 

“There’s the camp!” exclaimed William, as he 


Those Smith Boys 


250 

pointed to where the construction gang of the new rail- 
road were gathered. 

Several fires gleamed fitfully because of the rain^ 
and from the rough board shacks, and some tents there 
shone flickering lanterns. 

“What time is it asked Pete. 

“ITearly eleven o’clock, replied John, looking at a 
cheap watch he carried, lighting a match to do so. 

“Well, we’re in time,” spoke William. “I^ow let’s 
hurry down, and 'warn some one. I guess we’d better 
ask for Mr. Carboy.” 

They scrambled down the side of the hill, part of 
which had been cut away to make room for the railroad. 
As they started tow^ard the clump of shacks, where they 
knew the foreman stayed, some one called to them: 

“Hey! Where you fellers goin’ ?” 

“We want to see Mr. Carboy,” replied John. 

“What for?” 

“We have something important to tell him.” 

“Humph 1 Who are you, anyway ?” and a big man, 
his clothes covered with mud, in which he had been 
working all day, lurched forward out of the darkness. 

“Tell Mr. Carboy that the Smith boys want to see . 
him,” said John. “And tell him quickly, please. We 
haven’t much time.” 

Something in the boy’s manner must have impressed 
the man. He turned aside with a grunt, and a mut- 
tered command to “wait a minute.” Then he opened 
the door of one of the board shacks and called: 

“Hey, Mr. Carboy, those Smith boys want to see 
you.” 


Capture of the Robbers 


251 


Those Smith hoys 

The three brothers could hear the surprised exclama- 
tion of the foreman. 

That’s what they said. Got somethin’ important to 
tell you.” 

A door was thrown open quickly, and a broad patch 
of light shone on the ground. Framed in it was Mr. 
Carboy. 

^AVhere are they?” he asked. Those Smith boys? 
Why their father’s been looking all over for them.” 

^^Here we are, Mr. Carboy,” answered John. 

^AVell, it’s about time you came back,” went on the 
foreman, not very good naturedly. ^^Your father’s in a 
bad way, and ” 

‘Ms he sick?” asked William quickly. 

“]^o. but he’s in trouble.” 

“We saw it in the paper,” spoke John quickly. 
“That’s why we came back.” 

“You’d ought to have come back before.” 

“We know it,” admitted John, “hut we were afraid 
to come back. But, Mr. Carboy, we’ve got something 
important to tell you. Some robbers are going to hold 
up the pay car. The man without a thumb is one of 
them !” 

“Bobbers 1 Hold up the pay train ? The man with- 
oM a thumb?” repeated the foreman. 

“Yes!” exclaimed John. “We were held up on ac- 
count of a hot box ! We started to walk home, and we 
overheard them planning the robbery ! A lot of 
tramps !” 

Then he quickly told the foreman what he and his 


252 


Those Smith Boys 


brothers had overheard, adding a brief account of what 
had happened since they had left home several months 
before. 

Can’t you stop the train? Can’t you warn them?” 
finished John. 

^^Sure! Of course! Come on with me!” cried the 
foreman. “Boys, this is a great piece of news ! This’ll 
he great for you ! Bob the pay train ; eh ? Well, we’ll 
stop that! Come on, and I’ll wake up one of the tele- 
graph operators, and have him wire a warning. We 
haven’t any too much time, either.” 

He came from his shack, grasped John by the arm, 
and hurried him along, the other boys following, wdiile 
behind them there sounded a buzz of many voices as the 
men discussed the startling news. 

Mr. Carboy pounded on the door of a small shanty. 

“Hey!” he called. “Wake up, Snyder! Wake up!” 

There was a moment’s silence. Then the foreman 
pounded again on the door. A window was opened and 
a man thrust his head out. 

“What’s the matter?” he asked in a sleepy voice. 

“Matter?” cried Mr. Carboy. “They’re going to 
hold up the pay train. Down by Cat’s Paw hill. Wire 
’em at Grassmore Junction to hold the train. Lively! 
You haven’t much time.” 

“Wire to Grassmore Junction?” repeated the 
operator. 

“Sure. And do it quick, Snyder.” 

“I can’t.” 

“Why not?” 

“Because the wires are down. They broke late this 


Capture of the Robbers 253 

afternoon, and tlie repair gang didn’t fix ’em. The;;^ 
didn’t think I’d need ’em until to-morrow.” 

^^Well you do, and you need ’em mighty bad! Ain’t 
there some way you can send a message ?” 

^‘Hot a way, unless I had a wireless apparatus, and 
that wouldn’t do any good, because they haven’t any 
at Grassmore.” 

^^But you’ve got to get ’em word,” insisted the fore- 
man. 

tell you I can’t!” 

“Won’t the pay train pass here, through the con- 
struction camp?” asked John. “Can’t you stop it 
here ? They aren’t going to rob it until it gets past the 
camp, where it always stays over night, on the siding.” 

“Ho we can’t stop it here at the camp,” replied Mr. 
Carboy, “because it won’t go through the camp.” 

“Why not?” 

“Because since you’ve been away we’ve had to build 
the line somewhat different, on account of going to 
Vandalia. There’s a branch line, running off from 
Grassmore, making a curve, and joining this line just 
this side of the Way dell river. 

“It’s only temporary, though. Had to branch off on 
account of the bridge over Black Creek weakening. 
You see the line comes down as far as Grassmore, and 
then it splits in two. One part comes right here to this 
camp. The other swings around in a big half circle, 
and joins the main line about five miles below here, and 
that’s about where the hold up will take place.” 

“Then you’ve got to warn the train before it gets to 
Grassmore ?” asked William. 


Those Smith Boys 


254 

That’s it, for after it starts away from there it 
won’t stop until it joins the main line again.” 

“And the dangerous bridge over Black Creek is be- 
tween here and Grassmore ?” 

“That’s it, and there’s no way of getting word to 
Grassmore, now that the telegraph line is down. I 
don’t see how we’re going to warn ’em in time.” 

There was a moment’s silence. 

“How far is it from here to Grassmore Junction?” 
asked William. 

“Five miles. Farther than a man could go before the 
train leaves there. It’s due to leave there in half an 
hour, and after that there’s no stopping it. It’ll go to 
the junction below here, stay all night, as it always does, 
and back up here in the morning, to pay the men off. 
Only they won’t be paid off, because those scoundrels 
will have all the money by then ! Oh, boys, why didn’t 
you come sooner ?” 

“We couldn’t,” explained John. 

“Five miles in half an hour,” said William slowly. 
“We ought to be able to do it, for it’s a level 
grade.” 

“Kun five miles in half an hour,” said Mr. Carboy. 
“There ain’t nobody here what can do it.” 

“Maybe not, but we can do it on that!” said William 
quickly. 

“On what?” 

William pointed to a big hand car drawn up along 
side of the track. 

For a moment no one spoke. Then the meaning of 
William’s words was plain to all of them. On a hand 


Capture of the Robbers 255 

car, worked by the powerful arms of the railroad men, 
the distance could be covered in the time left. 

^^That’s it!” cried Mr. Carboy. ^^Boy, you^re all 
right ! You’ll have another ride on a hand car, but it 
won’t be like the first one,” and he smiled grimly. 

^^Are we going?” asked William. 

“Of course. I want you to tell your story to the men 
on the pay car. Then you’ll be able to identify the 
robbers when we catch them. Bor we’ll catch them now ! 
We can make the trip in time on the hand car to stop 
the pay train and warn them.” 

Mr. Carboy ran to another shanty, and, by pounding 
on the door awakened several men. He gave them his 
orders quickly. 

“Lively!” he cried^ “Pile out now. Hot a moment 
to lose. Get that hand car on the track, some of you. 
Galligan, fetch my revolvers from my shack. Tell some 
of the surveyors to tumble out, and bring their guns 
wdth them. There’s going to be hot work, and they’ll 
need ’em !” 

Before the boys knew what was happening they were 
on a big hand car, in the midst of a throng of burly men. 

“Make her hum!” cried Mr. Carboy. “Snatch her 
right along boys. Break the handles — but get there!” 

Up and down went the big levers which worked the 
geared cogs that moved the hand car. The wheels 
screeched on the wet rails, they clicked as they went 
over switches and then, gathering speed, as the brawny 
arms worked the handles up and down, the vehicle, with 
its load of men and boys, fairly sang over the ribbons 
of steel. 


256 Those Smith Boys 

Ten men, in addition to the boys, rode on the hand 
car. I^early all the men were armed, and they knew 
there were several weapons in the pay car. It was rain- 
ing hard, but no one minded that. 

We’ve got to do it! We’ve got to do it,” murmured 
Mr. Carboy, over and over again. Snatch her along 
boys! Make her hum!” and every now and then he 
would take hold himself, and help pump. 

The wet rails hindered their progress somewhat, but 
they had a level grade in their favor. Every few min- 
utes Mr. Carboy would look at his watch by the light 
of a lantern on the hand car. 

Hurry ! Hurry !” he exclaimed. ^^Only a few min- 
utes left!” 

In the darkness they passed over a stretch of track 
that gave forth a deep rumble. 

^‘The Black Creek bridge,” said Mr. Carboy. “Only 
a mile more boys! Snatch her along!” 

The hand car seemed to fly over the rails. They 
went around a curve at such speed that the boys were 
nearly flung off. And then, a moment later, they saw 
a light glaring into their faces, the big light ol a locomo- 
tive. And they heard the puffing of the engine. 

“They’ve started to leave !” cried Mr. Carboy. “We 
must stop them ! And I didn’t bring a red lantern !” 

Eor a moment it seemed as if they must fail, after 
all, for they were still some distance away from the pay 
train, which was pulling off onto the junction track, 
and would soon be beyond stopping. 

“Here ! Take my red handkerchief !” cried one of the 
men. “Wrap it around the lantern!” 


Capture of the Robbers 


257 


It was done in an instant, and, as the hand car with 
its load of human freight shot forward, Mr. Carboy 
was frantically waving the improvised red light. 

' There came a shrill whistle from the engine, a grind- 
ing sound as the air brakes were clapped on, and the 
pay train came to a stand still. They were only just 
in time. 

The foreman leaped off before the hand car had come 
to a stop, and, an instant later was rapidly telling a very 
much startled engineer and fireman the reason for the 
signal. 

From the pay car came several guards, and the pay 
master who had been awakened in his berth. The im- 
pending hold-up was quickly told of. 

^^What will we do; stay here to-night, and run down 
in the morning?” asked the engineer. 

^^Stay here nothing!” exclaimed one of the guards. 

We’ll run down there to-night, and we’ll capture the 
whole gang! I guess we’ve got force enough,” and he 
looked grimly around at the group of brawny railroad 
men. 

^^Pile in, then,” ordered the engineer, and the hand 
car, having been lifted from the track, the railroad men, 
with the Smith boys in their midst, entered the pay 
car. 

There was a hasty conference as to the best plan to 
follow, the boys told the important parts of their story 
again, and then the engine started off once more. 

The storm increased, but the pay car made good time 
over the slippery rails. On through the darkness and 
rain; over the new line it went. 


Those Smith Boys 


258 

Suddenly, above the rattle of the rail joints, as the 
wheels passed over them and the switch points, came a 
sharp report. 

^^Thafs them! The torpedo!’’ exclaimed Mr. Car- 
hoy. 

He peered cautiously out of a window. Ahead, on 
the track, could be seen a flickering red lantern, and, as 
the foreman watched, there sprang into the glare of the 
locomotive headlight, half a score of ragged figures. 

‘^There they are!” cried Mr. Carboy, and then some- 
thing happened. 

From the pay car sprang the husky railroad men, 
grasping their revolvers, the guards of the pay car their 
rifles. In spite of orders to the contrary, the Smith 
boys followed. 

The scene was suddenly lighted up by a score of 
signal torches, which burned with a red fire, making 
the place brilliant. The amazed gang of tramps, led by 
the • thumbless man, hung back an instant, and then 
started to flee. 

^^Come back!” cried their leader, as he raised his 
weapon and fired at the advancing railroad men. 

Some of the tramps did turn, and there was an ex- 
change of shots. 

^^Kush ’em, boys !” cried Mr. Carboy. 

To the glare of the red torches was added white 
slivers of flame from the revolvers, and above the drone 
of the rain sounded the sharp crack of the weapons. 

The battle lasted only a few minutes, and, when it 
was over most of the tramps, including the thumbless 
man had been captured. One or two of the railroad 


Capture of the Robbers 259 

men had been slightly injured by bullets, as had two 
of the tramps, 

good night's work, boys,” remarked Mr. Carboy, 
as he helped to lead the prisoners back to the pay car. 

it hadn't been for the warning these lads gave us, 
the Green Valley road would be in a bad fix now.” 

^^Did those boys warn you of our plans ?” asked tho 
man without a thumb. 

^‘They did,” replied Mr. Carboy, “and I'm thinking 
they have another bone to pick with you concerning 
some three thousand dollars.” 

The thumbless man started. He seemed about to say 
something, and then he thought better of it. 

A little later, securely bound, the prisoners were 
placed in the pay car, and the run back to Grassmore 
Junction was begun, as there was a strong jail there, 
where it was planned to put the robbers. 


CHAPTEE XXXV 


TBEEPORT GETS THE RAILROAD 

remarked John, several hours later, when 
Grassmore had been reached, and the tramps and their 
leader safely disposed of, guess we^d better start for 
home, now.’’ 

^^Wait until morning,” advised Mr. Carboy. ^Mt’ll 
soon be daylight, and we’ll take you down on the pay 
car, and run you to the railroad camp. You can easily 
go home from there.” 

They decided this was best, and, in the care of the 
paymaster, who could not seem to thank the boys enough, 
they went to a hotel, where they spent the rest of the 
night. 

Just think, we’ll soon be home, and see dad,” spoke 
Pete, when they had finished breakfast, and were on 
their way to the new depot at Grassmore Junction. 

‘^That’s right,” agreed John. 

“I wonder how they’ll receive us in Ereeport?” came 
from William. don’t s’pose they’ll hold a reception 
in our honor, or get up a banquet.” 

“JSTot much,” replied John. “If they let us alone, 
that’s all I’ll ask.” 

They found the men of the pay car, and some of those 
who had made the memorable ride on the hand car, 
waiting to start. 


Freeport Gets the Railroad 261 


^^All ready asked the engineer. 

^^All ready I guess/^ replied the paymaster. 

J list then the telegraph operator came hurrying from 
the depot. 

^‘You’ll have to wait/’ he said to the engineer. 

“Wait? What for?” 

“The president’s special is coming down on an in- 
spection trip. Tie wants the right of way. He’s heard 
about the hold-up and wants to see you. I just got a 
message.” 

“All right,” said the engineer. “I guess the presi- 
dent’s special car has the right of way on the road he 
owns most of.” 

It was less than an hour later when the whistle of an 
approaching locomotive was heard, and soon there pulled 
into the Grassmore station the fine private car of Presi- 
dent Hewton, of the Green Valley railroad. 

“What’s this I hear, Mr. Strong, about a hold-up?” 
asked the president as he descended from his car, and 
approached the paymaster. 

“Well, we nearly had one, but those boys saved us 
front it.” 

“What boys?” 

“Those Smith boys.” 

Mr. Strong waved his hand toward our three heroes. 

“Those Smith boys,” repeated the president slowly. 
“Those Smith boys? Seems to me I’ve heard that 
name — er — are those the boys ?” 

He paused for a moment. Another man came from 
the private car, and joined him. It was Mr. Stanton, 
the chief surveyor, whose tent had been demolished by 


262 Those Smith Boys 

the hand car, started that unlucky day by the Smith 
boys. 

The president and the surveyor held a whispered con- 
versation, the eyes of Mr. Stanton now and then seeking 
the faces of the three brothers, who hardly knew 
whether to stay or hurry off. 

The same boys ; eh they heard the president say. 
“Well, I guess we’d better — -er — um 

And the remainder of what he said was lost in a 
whisper. 

“I guess he^s going to have us arrested,’^ said Wil- 
liam in a low voice to his brothers. 

“Well, if he does, we can’t help it,” said John. 

“Boys,” spoke the president suddenly, approaching 
them, “Mr. Stanton here tells me you are the same lads 
who — er — well, who caused him some inconvenience a 
while ago. Are you ?” 

“I guess we are,” admitted John, “but it was an 
accident. We didnT mean to do it.” 

“And last night you gave the warning which saved 
the pay car from being robbed of a large sum, and, 
very likely prevented some of my employes from being 
killed.” 

“We happened to see the tramps, and hear what they 
were saying,” explained John, “so we told Mr. Carboy.” 

“Exactly, and saved the pay train. Ha! Hum! 
Well, I rather think what you did to Mr. Stanton’s tent 
with the hand car has been wiped out by the service 
you rendered us last night; eh Stanton.” 

“Yes, sir,” and the surveyor smiled in a friendly 
fashion at the boys. 


Freeport Gets the Railroad 263 


^^And left us considerably in your debt,” went on 
Mr. K'ewton. ‘^Eb, Stanton 

^'Yes, sir.” 

Suppose you come into my car, boys. I have some- 
thing to say to you.” continued the president. 

Wondering what was about to happen the three 
brothers went in. They found it magnificently fur- 
nished, and, in one compartment a number of gentle- 
men were at breakfast, being waited on by a colored 
cook. 

^‘This beats Professor Clatter’s wagon,” whispered 
Pete. 

^^It sure does,” agreed William. 

Mr. Eewton and Mr. Stanton were off in one corner 
of the car, conferring together, and looking over maps 
and plans. Soon the president came toward the boys. 

^^Mr. Stanton has been tellling me some things,” he 
said. understand that your town wants our road to 
come there ?” 

guess it does,” replied John. 

‘^But Mr. Stanton decided after— er — after your 
little accident, that he’d rather take it to Vandalia, as it 
didn’t make much difference to us which town it 
touched.” 

John nodded, wondering what was coming next. 

^^But I feel that we should recognize, in some way, 
the service you rendered last night,” went on the presi- 
dent, ^^and, as Mr. Stanton assures me that he holds no 
enmity toward you, and as he explains that it is not too 
late, why I have decided that the railroad will come to 
Ereeport, instead of Vandalia.” 


264 Those Smith Boys 

“Will the road really come to Freeport?” asked 
William. 

will/^ replied Mr. ISTewton, “and wedl build a 
nice station there. But I want the citizens of that place 
to understand that the change is made on your account, 
and to pay you for what you did. You have more than 
offset the trouble you caused by starting off that hand 
car.’^ 

The boys’ eyes sparkled. This -was good news in- 
deed. 

“I realize also,” said Mr. Yewton, “that this is not a 
very personal reward for you boys. But I am coming 
to that.” 

“We didn’t do it for a reward,” said John quickly. 

“I know it, and that is why I am the more glad to 
give it to you. Mr. Stanton tells me that if the road 
comes to Freeport, which it will, we will need con- 
siderable land. He says he made some surveys, when 
he was contemplating this move, that is before he de- 
cided to go to Vandalia, and that we will require a 
large piece of land owned, I understand by your father. 
For this are willing to pay a good sum. Do you think 
he will sell ?” 

John and his brothers thought of the trouble in which 
their father was, over money matters. 

“I’m sure he will,” replied John. 

“Then tell him we will give him fifteen thousand 
dollars for his piece of swamp meadow,” went on the 
railroad president.” 

“Oh, I don’t know how to thank you!” exclaimed 
John. “And my brothers ” 


Freeport Gets the Railroad 265 


^^One moment,” continued Mr. I^ewton. ^^Here are 
some envelopes, but I don^t want you to open them until 
you get home. I am going to take you down in my 
private car. Eemember, do not open them until you get 
home.” 

The boys promised, hardly able to believe their good 
fortune. 

^^Well, we may as well proceed with the inspection,” 
said the president, after a pause. ^^Have you boys had 
breakfast ?” 

John assured him that they had, so Mr. Eewton 
joined his colleagues at the breakfast table, and the 
boys sat looking from the broad windows of the special 
car, as it rolled swiftly along. 

“There’s where the hold-up was,” remarked John, as 
they passed the spot where the tramps had been cap- 
tured. 

Two hours later, the president’s car, having reached 
the construction camp, where he was to remain for some 
time, the boys started for home across the fields, Wag- 
gles trailing after them. 

“Won’t dad be surprised to see us?” said John. 

“Yes, and won’t the people be surprised when they 
hear that the railroad’s coming here ?” spoke William. 

The reached the outskirts of the town. 

“There’s Spider Langdon!” exclaimed Pete. 

His brothers glanced quickly up to see the longleg- 
ged bully hurrying down the highway. 

“He acts as though he was afraid of us,” commented 
Pete. 

Spider had good reason to be. 


266 Those Smith Boys 

^^The town doesn’t seem to have changed much,” ob- 
served William. 

^‘Well, we haven’t been away so long, though it 
seems like a good while to us,” said John. ^^Wait until 
the railroad comes here though; then you’ll see some 
changes.” 

They were now in the town. Persons were staring 
curiously at them. They passed Simeon Dent, president 
of the Board of Trade. 

What ! You boys back ?” he asked, in some surprise. 

“Yes,” replied John. 

“Humph ! Some folks thought you was goin’ to stay 
for good,” was the somewhat ungracious comment. 

The boys continued on. 

“Ho one seems very glad to see us,” observed Pete. 

“Hot what you could call a hearty welcome,” added 
William. 

“There’s our house!” exclaimed John. “How to see 
dad.” 

But when they had knocked on the door, it was not 
the genial housekeeper, Mrs. Murdock, who opened it. 

“Isn’t Mr. Smith — doesn’t he live here?” faltered 
John. 

“Oh, he moved out some time ago,’^ replied the 
woman. “He had to sell this house, and I bought it at 
auction.” 

“Where — Tvhere is he?’^ asked William, an uneasy 
feeling coming over him and his brothers. 

“Oh, he’s boarding at Mrs. Simpson’s.” 

“At Simpson’s,” murmured Pete. It was a low class 
boarding house, where laboring men used to stop. 


Freeport Gets the Railroad 267 


^^Poor dad,” murmured John, must have had 
hard luck. But come on, we tell him the good news.” 

They turned away. As they were going down the 
street they heard some one hail them. 

^^It’s Bateye Jones!” exclaimed William, turning 
around. 

“Where in the world did you fellows come from ?” 
asked Bateye. “You’re dad’s nearly crazy looking for 
you.” 

“We just got in,” replied John. “We’re going to find 
my father now.” 

“Then you’re going the wrong way,” said Bateye. 

“Why?” inquired William. 

“Because he’s down at my house. He’s sick. Mom 
heard about him being sick, down at Mrs. Simpson’s, 
and she made him come to our house. Come on, he’ll 
be more than glad to see you.” 

The boys lost no time. In a little while they stood 
beside their father, who was pale and wan. His face 
lighted up at the sight of his boys. 

“Oh,” he murmured, “I thought I never was going to 
see 3^ou again. Why did you go away ?” 

Bapidly they told him, and, for the first time learned 
how useless had been their flight. 

“But they aren’t any too friendly to us now,” said 
Pete. “We passed Mr. Dent, and ” 

“Well, some folks think you’re responsible for the 
railroad not coming here,” said Bateye, “but that’s all 
bosh. I guess they didn’t want to come, anyhow.” 

“Well, they needn’t hold that feeling against us any 
longer,” said John slowly. 


268 


Those Smith Boys 


^^Why not?’^ asked Bateye. 

What do you mean inquired Mr. Smith, 
mean that the railroad’s coming here !” cried John. 
^Mt’s just been decided. We saved the pay train from 
being robbed, and Mr. l^ewton decided to run the road 
here.” 

^^Hurrah!” cried Bateye, dancing about the room. 
^^JSTow maybe folks’ll take their hats otf to you.” 

^‘Are you sure of this, boys ?” asked Mr. Smith. 

^^Yes, and what’s more,” added William, ‘^they’re go- 
ing to buy your meadow swamp, and give you fifteen 
thousand dollars for it.” 

Thank the dear Lord !” exclaimed Mr. Smith feebly. 
^^That is the best news I’ve heard since you went away! 
ISTow I can begin life over again.” 

^^And we caught the man who stole your three 
thousand dollars,” added Pete. 

You did ?” 

^AVe sure did. The man without a thumb.” 

Of course they had to start in then and tell their 
whole story, how they had fallen in with Professor 
Clatter, and the weather prophet, and all. 

^AVell, you certainly had some adventures,” remarked 
Bateye enviously. 

^^And I hope they’re over for a while,” said Pete. 

They were, for a time, but the Smith boys had many 
others, and if you wish to read of them you will find 
them, set down in the second volume of this series, to be 
called ^^Those Smith Boys on the Diamond; or, Mp and 
Tuck for Victory.” 

There was great surprise and rejoicing on the part 


Freeport Gets the Railroad 269 

of the citizens of Freeport when it was learned that the 
railroad was coming there, and corresponding gloom in 
Vandalia. And, when it was learned that the Smith 
boys were the cause of the change, as many nice things 
were said about them as, before, unpleasant remarks had 
been made. 

always said those Smith boys had lots of gump- 
tion,” remarked Simeon Dent. “The idea of them pre- 
ventin’ the train hold-up, and gettin’ the road here. 
l!^ow Freeport will begin to boom.” 

Which, it did. Property increased in value, and busi- 
ness was much better. Mr. Smith received his money 
for the only piece of land that he had been able to retain 
when the crash in his affairs came, and this was mainly 
because it was considered so worthless that no one 
would buy it. 

With the fifteen thousand dollars, and two thousand, 
which was recovered from the thumbless man, who con- 
fessed that he had robbed Mr. Smith, the latter was able 
to buy back his store. 

The man without a thumb, who had a long police re- 
cord, and his tramp associates were sent to jail for 
lengthy terms. The boys would liked to have gotten 
back the five hundred dollars stolen from Professor 
Clatter, but the robber had spent all of this. The rea- 
son he had some of the three thousand stolen from Mr. 
Smith, was because he had hidden it before starting off 
on a tour of crime with the tramps. 

Mr. Smith soon recovered his health when he had 
no longer any worry over his missing sons, and his 
failure, and he went into business again, on a larger 


270 


Those Smith Boys 


scale than before, for, with the advent of the railroad 
in Freeport, trade boomed wonderfully. 

‘‘Say, fellows,’’ remarked John, one day, “we never 
opened those envelopes that Mr. Kewton gave us.” 

“That’s so, we didn’t” added William. “I wonder 
what’s in ’em?” 

“Best way is to open ’em and find out,” suggested 
Pete. 

They did so, and found in each one a crisp hundred 
dollar bill, and a perpetual pass over the lines of the 
Green Valley railroad. 

“As a slight appreciation of what the Smith boys did 
for us,” President J^ewton had written on cards in the 
envelopes. 

“Well, say, that isn’t so bad; is it?” asked William. 

“I should say not !” exclaimed Pete. “With what we 
, got from Professor Clatter we’ve got a nice little sum 
now.” 

“We’ll need it if we go to Westfield Academy,” spoke 
John. “Dad talks of sending us there this fall.” 

“I hope he does,” said Pete. “We’ll have some 
sport.” 

“Hark!” exclaimed William, as he listened to some 
noise outside. 

There came to the ears of the boys the call of a tree 
toad. 

“It’s Doc Lutken,” said Pete, and soon a voice called : 

“Hey, fellows, come on out. Waggles is chasin’ a cat.” 

And now, for a while, we’ll say good-bye to those 
Smith boys. 


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